What a year for the Victorian Canoe Polo Junior Development Squad. Early 2005, 10 new paddlers joined the Canoe Polo Junior Development Squad. Together with other established members of the squad they attended training sessions learning paddling techniques, rules of the game and skills such ball handling, defensive / offensive tactics. There was even a 6 week under 18 canoe polo competition held at Brunswick Pool on a Friday night.
At the Canoe Polo Autumn finals held at Brunswick Pool on Saturday 22 Oct 2005, members from the squad were represented across the board. Senior Squad members included Tom Stork, a member of the winning 'A' grade final team, Corsairs, with Tom scoring the winning goal in the final seconds. Lauren Liljak, Simon Baird and Adrian Porter were runners up in the 'B' Grade final and hopefully move to A grade next session to join Tom, Matt Perrin and Steve Porter.
The Sharks led by Josh Shannon and Mitchell Ryan came third in 'E' Grade following their win and promotion by 2 grades. Our newest squad, Team JD, won the novice grade. Although finishing third on the ladder Team JD won their semi-final by one goal following a draw at full time and having to play an extra 6 minutes. The final was just as exciting with the team winning by just 1 goal again. Coach Tom Stork was always confident of winning. Andrew Merrifield won the Novice grade Most Valuable Player award with another JD Member, Jake Campitelli -runner-up. Congratulations to all JD members but in particular our newest squad members: Travis Tait, Andrew Merrifield, Jake Campitelli, Matthew Seddon, Steve Bua-Giancarro, Jim Buzacott, Mark Kettle, Patrick Robb, Joanna Durrant, Nicholas Howes
