By Johnathan Paoli
Schools across Gauteng are in full preparation mode for the upcoming Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament, set to take place early next month.
This highly anticipated event, one of the largest of its kind in the country, will host 123 teams from the U13 to U19 categories for both boys and girls. It is being held at Buffalo City’s Joan Harrison Aquatic Complex in the Eastern Cape, with additional matches hosted in other schools within the province as well as KwaZulu-Natal.
Adding an international flair, the Aussie Crocs from Queensland, Australia, are set to compete in the U19 boys’ category, promising a thrilling contest.
Central Gauteng’s U19 boys’ team, a standout performer in 2023, narrowly missed victory in last year’s finals after an intense penalty shootout against Western Province.
Led by coach Jon-Mar de Carvalho, the team is eager to reclaim their place at the top.
This year’s lineup includes seasoned players such as St John’s College trio Greg Pryce, Ross Rovelli, and Nicholas Searle, alongside Marc Smith of St Stithians and Karabo Mamaregane from King Edward VII (KES).
Notably, Mamaregane, who scored a hat-trick in the Currie Cup final earlier this year, is joined by KES teammates Juda Dos Santos and the Wilkins brothers, Harry and Jack.
Water polo in South Africa has deep roots, tracing back to informal school matches in the mid-20th century.
It was not until 1970, however, that a formal inter-provincial tournament concept took shape, following the proposal initially by Zimbabwe at a South African Amateur Swimming Union meeting, the idea gained traction in the following years.
Over the years, the tournament grew in scale, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when age categories expanded to include U13 through U19 for boys and girls.
Gauteng’s schools are approaching the tournament with a focus on fostering not only competitive excellence but also camaraderie and sportsmanship, with this year’s tournament being particularly significant, highlighting the growing prominence of South African water polo on the global stage.
With the Aussie Crocs joining the fray, local teams like Central Gauteng will have an opportunity not only to vie for the title, but to gain invaluable experience against international opponents, with the tournament offering a glimpse into the bright future of water polo in the country.
INSIDE EDUCATION
