MAJOR PRIZE WINNERS Sportsmen of the Year
Louis Clark
Highlights and achievements
“It was great to be part of the New Zealand men’s water polo team that played at the world championships in South Korea, and to make the Junior Black Fins – the New Zealand surf life saving team – and compete at the international surf rescue competition in South Africa. But underpinning my water polo and surf life saving is swimming. I’ve managed to medal in quite a few national age group championships and won the secondary schools open water event this year. I’m also in a national training squad for swimming.” Training is a huge part of his life, but Louis says it is great to be active, to instil discipline and routine, to set goals, and he likes being part of a team and building friendships with like-minded people. “I train a lot! I swim 8–9 times a week, go to the gym for at least two
Water Polo 2019 – New Zealand men’s team, world championships, South Korea 2019 – New Zealand junior (U20) team, world championships, Kuwait 2018 – New Zealand water polo youth (U18) team, world youth championships, Hungary 2018 – New Zealand secondary
Senior Sportsman of the Year First swimming, then water polo, then surf life saving. His chosen disciplines reflect Louis Clark’s passion for and ease in water – and, whether in the pool or at the beach, in each he has achieved outstanding results. “I’ve always loved being in water, the feeling of being weightless and the sense of freedom … and the beach is awesome. I love the waves, the challenge of reading the conditions and choosing how to react. It’s fun.” Louis has frequently blitzed the field in competitions, and his talent – quickly recognised by regional, national and high performance selectors – has enabled him to compete at the highest level, both in New Zealand and overseas.
schools’ team – won test series against Australia
Surf Life Saving 2018–19 and 2019–20 – New Zealand youth high performance squad 2019 – New Zealand Junior Black Fins, international surf rescue competition, South Africa 2018 – New Zealand surf life saving team, Sanyo Cup competition, Japan Swimming 2018–19 and 2019–20 – New Zealand Swimming high performance Bronze Squad 2019 – New Zealand secondary schools’ open water champion 2018–20 – Canterbury Platinum Squad Canterbury Sports Awards 2019 Young Sportsman of the Year – Surf Life Saving Young Sportsman of the Year – Water Polo Zonta Sports Awards 2019 Best all-round young sportsman who has achieved in more than one sporting code
College Issue 38 2020
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