Knee down, courage up - Ben Gardner

In June 2016, Ben Gardner returned home from school with a badly swollen knee. No strenuous physical activity or unusual symptoms had signalled this aliment could occur, but it was serious.
 
“I went to the doctor straight away and was diagnosed with Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee or OCD. Don’t ask me how to spell that, but basically the cartilage underneath my knee cap was separating,” the Year 12 student at Sacred Heart College, Auckland recalls.

A knee brace was attached and the prospects of resuming water polo were bleak.

“My rehabilitation took 18 months and has required four surgeries. It was tough,” Gardner complains.

Ben’s father Peter Gardner was one of the first New Zealand players to earn a water polo scholarship to a US university when he represented California State between 1988 and 1990.

Ben says dad’s support and expertise was essential in his recovery.

“Dad is always giving me tips on how to improve my game, but he also understands injuries. He had back and shoulder injuries while he was in the US and had to come home early. He knew exactly what I was going through,” he acclaims.  

Gardner eventually returned to the water in October last year at the U16 club Nationals won by his Marist side. Gardner has regained full strength and has enjoyed a rapid ascent.

Last week Gardner played an integral role in Sacred Heart’s recent North Island Secondary School Water Polo Championships success.
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Gardner scored two goals in the final against Rangitoto College, which Sacred Heart won by 8-6. 

In fact, finding the back of net at the North Island Championships wasn’t an issue at all for the undefeated Sacred Heart outfit. In seven games, Sacred Heart outscored opponents 101-21.

“The score in the final was a fair reflection of the match. It was pretty close and we expect Rangitoto will be tough to beat at Nationals should we play them,” Gardner observes.

What about the other opposition?

“Some of the pool games were very easy. In the semi-finals we beat Saint Kenitgern College 7-3. They are good. We beat Hamilton Boys’ High School in the quarter finals. They have some quality players,” Gardner responds.

Sacred Heart boasts a stacked roster. Patrik Zatko was MVP at the North Island Championships. Harry Finnigan is captain and a New Zealand representative. Louie Ferigo and Bronson Larsen are both NZ Waterpolo representatives and currently reserves for the New Zealand Senior Men's teams second team, which is participating in the World League competition in Auckland this week.  

How does Gardner fit alongside this talent?

“I’m like a point guard in basketball. On defence I play centre back and instruct guys where to be while closely marking an opposing player myself. On attack I play point which means I’m generally in the middle of the pool and try and get guys into good positions to score, while occasionally doing so myself,” Gardner answers.

Gardner’s younger sister Holly is also a keen player at Saint Kenitgern College.

Gardner is a keen photographer and has covered National Secondary Schools sevens, football and water polo to a high standard for College Sport Media.

Water Polo coming up:

• April 7: Auckland Senior Boys Final: Sacred Heart College v Saint Kenitgern College, National Aquatic Centre, 2:30pm.
• April 7: Auckland Senior Girls Final: St Cuthbert's v Auckland Diocesan, National Aquatic Centre, 3:30pm.
• April 19-22: National Secondary Schools Boys & Girls Championships, Wellington.

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