It’s not every day you get to splash with a bunch of Sharks. For one lucky Invercargill football team, being chosen as the winners of a competition to hang out with some of Southland’s sporting stars at Splash Palace let them do just that.

This year marked the second time Invercargill’s Splash Palace gave kids’ sports teams from around the region the opportunity to win a pool party with the Southland Sharks.

Invercargill City Council Aquatic Services Manager Stephen Cook said selecting a winner was a challenge – but ultimately it was the tamariki of the Queens Park AFC Jets who took out the W.

“Southlanders love a bit of grassroots sport, and it really was fantastic to see so many people backing their favourite kids’ teams.

There were so many deserving entries, but what really set the Jets apart was their incredible teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game,” he said.

The team spent the afternoon hanging out with eight Sharks players - Jack Ramage, Will Leger, Johnny Helu, Josiah Allick, Hayden Collier, Brayden Inger, Sam Timmins, and Tukaha Cooper.

Almost 50 teams – across sporting codes as diverse as surf lifesaving, rowing, t-ball, and a pony club – from throughout Southland entered the competition, Cook said.

The Jets were treated to some delicious catering from Liquid Cafe, got to ask questions of the Sharks players (mostly height-related!), and practiced their basketball skills. They also enjoyed private access to the Splash Palace hydroslides, and goodie bags that included swim passes, Sharks game tickets, goggles, lollies, signed Southland Sharks posters, and more, he said.

Cook said Splash Palace was a long-time supporter of regional sporting teams including the Steel, Stags, and Sharks, with players from each team regularly using the facilities at the pool as part of their training.

“We really want to thank not only the Southland Sharks, for giving up their time to come along, but everybody who entered. Encouraging Southland’s young people to get active is a big part of our purpose here at Splash Palace, and it was really inspiring to see our region’s strong sporting community in action,” he said.

Southland Sharks Operations Manager Jill Bolger said players had thoroughly enjoyed meeting members of the Jets.

“We really recognise how lucky we are to have such a vocal and proud community behind the Sharks, and the team really enjoy being able to meet fans – and make new ones – and give something back,” she said.

“Every kid who grows up playing a sport, no matter what code it is, does so while looking up to professional athletes, and our team knows how much opportunities like the pool party at Splash Palace means to our region’s young athletes. We hope the Jets had an absolute blast, and we’ll keep our eyes peeled as they continue to progress with their sporting careers.”