Six youth teams and four junior teams competed for the coveted trophies in the five days of competitions which took place in the Hubert Langy Sports Hall in Papeete, Tahiti, in the 2024 IHF Trophy Oceania for the two age categories.

In both the junior and the youth categories, it was New Caledonia which delivered the goods, securing both titles, in emphatic fashion, with some superb performances, displaying some immense potential.

In the youth (Under-18) competition, the six teams were divided into two groups of three teams each. In Group A, New Zealand faced New Caledonia and the American Samoa, while in Group B, Tahiti, Australia and the Cook Islands battled for the first spot.

New Caledonia won their group wth a fantastic 44:37 win against New Zealand, while Tahiti and Australia finished tied on points, after they shared the spoils in a 25:25 draw, but Tahiti went through on the first place, thanks to a bigger goal difference, after Tahiti secured a 31:23 win against the Cook Islands, while Australia clinched a 30:25 win.

Therefore, Tahiti avoided playing against New Caledonia, thanks to only two goals, but they were no match for New Zealand in the semi-final, in what proved to be the match with the largest number of goals scored in the competition, 48:41.

There was no question about the winner of the second semi-final, as New Caledonia were impossible to stop by Australia, delivering a blistering 45:12 win to secure the finals spot.

In the final, New Caledonia faced New Zealand again, but this time they went even further than their 44:37 win in the preliminary round, surprising their opponents with a fast-paced attack, which fueled a 47:27 win to win the title. 

In the bronze medal match, Australia rekindled their rivalry with Tahiti, but this time they beat the hosts, 39:31, with a clear win.

Tahiti’s Atuariimaru A-Tchoun was the top scorer of the competition, Australia’s Oliver Green was named the top goalkeeper, while the MVP of the 2024 IHF Youth Trophy Oceania was New Zealand’s Hector Pringot.

The four teams participating in the junior competition of the 2024 IHF Trophy Oceania were featuring in a round robin format, but in the end, it was New Caledonia which clinched the title, with a 32:27 win against New Zealand in the decider.

The bronze was sealed by hosts Tahiti, with a 31:18 win over Australia, which finished the competition without a win.

Tahiti’s Hoahere Tetuanui was the top scorer of the competition, New Zealand’s Stanley Schirnack was named the top goalkeeper, while the MVP of the 2024 IHF Junior Trophy Oceania was New Caledonia’s Robert Hoatau.

Credit photo: Jun Tanlayco