This years Central Schools qualifying tournament was held over the three days of 1^st – 3^rd July at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre where 27 teams all completed to qualify for this years New Zealand Secondary Schools Cup and Championships.

We had in excess of 300 players at this tournament in the 27 teams including 5 from Nelson and 1 from Blenheim (Marlborough Girls College).

In the Junior Girls Grade, the unbeaten Queen Margarets team was the one to beat and this proved correct right to the end, remaining unbeaten after a scare in the final beating the Nelson College for Girls team 3-2.  Wellington Girls proved too strong for Samuel Marsden in the playoff for 3^rd and 4^th winning 6-3

In the Junior Open grade the Nelson College team also remained unbeaten during the tournament winning the final convincingly 7-0 against Wellington College. In the 3^rd / 4^th playoff HIBS were also too strong with a good win over Wellington High by 4-2

The competition in the senior Girls grade was of a very high quality and very close between the top four team.  Samuel Marsden won the final in a very close game with the fast finishing Nelson College for Girls team 1-0.  Nelson College for Girls were third seeds and won their place in the final against a strong performing Wellington East Girls team 3-2 in what was a very exciting and competitive game.  The Wellington East Girls College team came third after winning the 3^rd / 4^th playoff against Wellington Girls College 5-1.

As expected the Senior Open teams come to play in what was also a very competitive grade with very little between the top three teams.  The Nelson College progressed into the final after a 2-1 over the well performed Wellington High team in the semi.   Nelson College played the well performed Wellington College team, with Wellington College remain unbeaten by winning the final 4-2.  Wellington High beat Scots College 4-0 in the 3^rd / 4^th playoff.

Another great central schools tournament with the Nelson teams again showing their worth at the end of the tournament with one win and three seconds. 

We all now look forward to Schools Nationals in Wellington 1-4 September 2022.

Full results and final placings can be found here