Strong results for Aberfan, Bridgend and Dragon Canoe Clubs at the Canoe Polo National Champs

After a two year break, canoe polo teams from across the UK were reunited at the 2021 National Championships, which took place in Nottingham on the weekend of 7-8 August.

Bridgend Sharks (in yellow and red) taking on FOA (Friends of Allonby Canoe Club) in the Cup competition. Photo: Lisa Howes

The Dragon B Team achieved 8th place in the Plate competition with Dragon Ravens taking 4th place in the Shield. There were very strong results from Dragon across multiple divisions.

Aberfan took 1st place in the Bowl competition following good results on the Sunday – this was an excellent experience for the three youth players competing in the team.

Aberfan’s youth players in attack in the group stages, with Dragon Ravens defending. Photo: Lisa Howes

Bridgend Youth had a busy weekend, taking 4th place in the open Bowl competition as well as contesting the youth division where they achieved 2nd place – congratulations! Chair of Bridgend Canoe Club, Bethan Littlewood, sent us the following update:

"The weekend was great! All the players were excited to be back playing the sport they loved within our lovely polo family! The players mixed so well in between playing, watching and supporting the other teams. 

From the players' performances to our biggest fans (parents) looking out for everyone, I could not have been prouder of Bridgend Canoe Club! 

Bridgend Youth fought hard and did fantastically to make it through to the open Bowl. Having drawn Kingston in the seeding (the team that went on to win the Champs), the crowd erupted when the Youth scored against them. They kept battling and gave their all for the full game, even though they were out of their depth; they didn’t get intimidated and kept their heads high, finishing 4th in the Bowl and 22nd overall. 

Bridgend Youth narrowly missed the Youth title, finishing 2nd. Having won the youth league prior to COVID, they had already secured a space in the European Club Champs if it is able to go ahead.

Even with the competition being open, it is not common to have women playing at the top level. Bridgend Sharks – having 3 female paddlers and 3 male paddlers – put up nail-biting performances against the top teams of the UK with a very competitive semi-final, and an unfortunate loss in the 3/4 playoff to finish 4th out of 36 teams from across the country.

All teams are looking forward to the next event! Big thanks to British Canoeing for hosting the event."

For the full results from British Canoeing, click here.

The next Welsh polo competition is planned for 11 September 2021 at Taff Bargoed in South Wales, and the Welsh development youth initiative is due to restart in October this year - see the Canoe Wales Polo Facebook page for details.

Many thanks to Zoe Anthony of Aberfan Canoe Club for helping put together this update.