PNSW Canoe Polo

Also receiving the 2025/26 PNSW Team of the Year Award is the ACT/ NSW U18 team of Bane Burr, Seth Burr, Jack Fitzpatrick, Huon Last, Billy Afflick and Arman Azuan.

At the 2026 PA Canoe Polo Championships (held on Mawson Lakes), our winners achieved 1st place in the U18 division (most members were also in the bronze medaling U21 team as well).

Combining players from Burley Griffin Canoe Club and Shoalhaven Canoe Club, the ACT/ NSW U18 team featured six players ranging in ages from 14-17. Coached by BGCC’s Adam Hofmeyer and Sydney Sharks’ Jack Quinn, this young group developed immensely over the three-day National Championships. Most members attended the 2026 Junior Development Camp in January, hosted by BGCC, and the concepts and skills learned there were on display in Adelaide, as they played teams from Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland.

Despite playing across multiple divisions, the lads kept up their energy reserves, with an exciting final against Tasmania seeing almost all of the ACT/NSW team score, defeating their Apple Isle compatriots 7-4.

The weekend was also capped off by Shoalhaven’s Huon Last being named in the U21 Australian Men’s Team, bound for Germany later in the year.

Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC) Shoalhaven Canoe & Kayak Club Canoe Polo ACT PNSW Canoe Polo Australian Canoe Polo

Our final category in the 2025/26 PaddleNSW Annual Awards is Volunteer of the Year. We love all our volunteers, and so proudly share this recognition amongst four amazing people.

First up is IAN BARRABLE from Sydney Canoe Polo Club.
Ian has been central to Sydney Canoe Polo Club's first year of operation, serving on the committee while carrying much of the practical load that turns plans into sessions on the water.

Ian organised Paddle Australia Summer Series Event 1 at Penrith Whitewater Stadium in October 2025, coordinating venue booking, equipment logistics, field setup, officials and volunteer rostering, and on-day operations. It was the first competition the club had hosted, drawing 72 paddlers in 13 teams across three divisions, including women's, from clubs in five states and territories. When inclement weather curtailed play, Ian managed the wind-up safely and without dispute. On that basis, the club is now preparing a bid to host a further Summer Series round in December 2026.

He also built and sustained the club's working relationship with Penrith Whitewater Stadium. That relationship secured reliable venue access and the goodwill that now underpins changing room access, storage arrangements and ongoing bookings. Penrith is the club's operational base, and it exists largely because Ian did the unglamorous work of showing up, following through, and being someone the venue could rely on.

Beyond the event, Ian supports committee governance, assists at regular training sessions, handles equipment transport and maintenance, and works with newcomers at come-and-try sessions at Penrith and Sydney University Canoe Club's Berrys Bay base, an hour from home.

Ian seeks no recognition for any of it. He is the volunteer who arrives first and leaves last, and both Sydney Canoe Polo Club and PaddleNSW are delighted to highlight his wonderful service to our sport.

PNSW Canoe Polo

PaddleNSW teams smashed this year's Paddle Australia Canoe Polo National Championships, medalling in every category, and becoming National Champions in the U18 and O55 divisions.

Featuring athletes from Sydney Canoe Polo Club Shoalhaven Canoe & Kayak Club and Canoe Polo ACT / Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC), the teams did exceptionally well over the three-day event in Adelaide, full results below 👇

O55 - 1st
O45 - 3rd
U21 - 3rd
U18 - 1st
Open Men's - 2nd, 6th
Open Women's - 2nd

A fun weekend in Essendon for the final Summer Series event this weekend. Sydney University Canoe Club Sydney Canoe Polo Club Shoalhaven Canoe & Kayak Club and Canoe Polo ACT were all out in force, with podium places in all divisions.

The next event will be the National Championships in April, keep an eye out for the ACT and NSW team announcements!

A great result for PaddleNSW, with teams featuring across the Open and Division 2 podiums at last weekend's Summer Series #3 event in Canberra. Canoe Polo ACT Kanusport enjoyed their third straight Summer Series win, whilst Sydney Canoe Polo Club received bronze in their first season. After a thrilling three rounds of golden goal in the semis, Shoalhaven Canoe & Kayak Club received second place in Division 2, whilst the Capital Chicks took out third.

It was also great to have Sydney University Canoe Club entering their USYD team, and thanks to Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC) for hosting 👏👏

Nominations for The 2026 Paddle Australia Canoe Polo National Championships are open!!!!!
Nominate to be a part of a Championships that will be a massive step for the future of NSW Canoe Polo.
Shoalhaven Canoe & Kayak Club Sydney Canoe Polo Club Sydney University Canoe Club

The Link to nominate is attached below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_3vVYJBuNNZVjr5eKy5Pansmp1Nrt5hJv7vvtiSxTSRH5Rw/viewform

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