Water polo

The 2021 water polo season was again short, curbed by Covid-19 restrictions in Term 1. With sport not being compulsory in term 1 and winter sport “pre-season” actively training, we only really had Term 3 for any constructive water polo.

It was unfortunate for the U14s that we had such issues in Term 1. They had a very weak age-group with regards to numbers and previous game experience. Many of the prep boys from a very successful 2020 side left to other schools, and it was a constant struggle to get the remaining and new U14 boys to have effective training sessions in Term 1. Term 3 saw an upward curve in commitment and effort from the boys. Results on paper were not so good, coming eighth from eight in the Grey College all age-group Tournament and overall only winning one game in 13. However, analysis of scores from the beginning of the term to the end shows an upward trend of improvement, from being soundly beaten to being competitive against the same teams at the end of term. Many thanks to their head coach, Mr Matthew Orr, for his massive time and effort he put into the team.

The U15s carried on their enthusiasm for water polo that they had in 2020. They had by far the most numbers and commitment at practices in Term 1, building a strong foundation for their active season in Term 3. Term 3 started off fairly well against some of our toughest rivals. The Grey College all age-group Tournament was a bit tougher, losing to St Stithians in the third and fourth playoff. However, the following derby fixture against St Stithians showed what the boys were capable of with a 10-4 win. A big thanks to their head coach Ms Masibonge Namba for her time, effort and patience with this agegroup. Again, I will say this about this age-group of water polo players, “Overall, the depth, enthusiasm and altruistic nature of this age group is something that all other age groups can learn from.”

With no active, compulsory sport in Term 1 the U16 agegroup struggled for numbers, with only a handful of boys putting in the required effort. However, these few boys really stepped up for the 1st Team training squad and in the end flourished. The Durban High School Tournament in the beginning of October was successful in that they beat Clifton in the third and fourth playoff as well as gained some valuable top game experience for those boys striving to play in the 1st Team. Many thanks to Mr Sheldon Skea, the U16 head coach for his time and effort with this age group.

With the lack of numbers this season, there really was no 3rd Team and only after the DHS U16 tour a viable 2nd Team made up of U16s and a few open players still committed to the game. Congratulations to them on winning their two matches against St Stithians and St Benedict’s.

Water polo awards

MIC:

• Mr G Ramsey

Captain:

• Manqoba Bungane

Water Polo award:

• The Skirving Trophy for Best Junior Water Polo

Player (U15): Jenson Welton • Most Improved Water Polo Player:

Paolantonio Mariano • The Alex Halley-Wright Trophy for

Sportsmanship in Water Polo Grade 12:

Caleb Grimett • Clark Atwell Trophy for Water Polo Player of the

Year: Manqoba Bungane

Team award:

• Christopher Chapman • Conor Tonetti

Full Colours:

• Regan Fisher • Daniel Ferriman-Else • Manqoba Bungane • Caleb Grimett • Gehan Neuhoff • Luca Nicholas • Matthew Rundle • Matthew Stephenson

Our 1st Team this year suffered from the restrictions of Covid and commitment of players in Term 1. We went into two tournaments in Term 3 with a relatively young and inexperienced team, having only played a few matches in the KES pre-season festival. This showed in our sixth placement in the Grey College Tournament. The following weekend we played in the St Stithians “Stayers” Tournament. An unfortunate placement in a very tough pool saw us ending up in the lower playoffs and winning our last game for the 13th/14th playoff. However, a nice point proven by the team was their victory over St Stithians a week later. St Stithians placed fourth in their Stayers Tournament.

Provincially this year we can be proud of the 20 boys who made Central Gauteng Schools U14 to U19 Teams this year. A special mention to our captain Manqoba Bungane for making the U20 SA Men’s side that participated in the U20 World Champs this year.

A final special thanks to Mr Dean Whyte for coaching the 1st Team and all other staff involved in St David’s high

school water polo: Mr Sheldon Skea, Mr William Shabangu, Matthew Orr, Masibonge Namba, Jaya Curtis, Cameron Keylock, Andrew Mason, Alex Spanidis and Lucky Letshabo.

In 2022 we can do ourselves proud, if: • We are committed and enthusiastic • Respectful and trustworthy in our approach to practices and games • Altruistic in our approach to the sport • And finally, keep whatever personal negativity you might have from souring the sport for those who want to enjoy it. As a player or as a parent

Mr G Ramsey

Director of Water polo

Water polo 1st Team

Back row: Fabio Ferreira, Tristan Grimett, Anton Arwidi, Christopher Chapman, Paolantonio Mariano 2nd row: Ethan Donaldson, Adam Nicholas, Reagan Fisher, Simon Henson, Luca Toet Front row: Gehan Neuhoff, Luca Nicholas, Matthew Stephenson, Mr D Whyte, Manqoba Bungane, Daniel Ferriman-Else, Caleb Grimett

Water polo U16A

Back row: Andrew Pournara, Samuel Blumeris, Matthew Huiskamp, Anton Arwidi, Luke Watkins, Yusuf Khan Front row: Weston Davis, Luke Bailey, Tristan Grimett, Mr S Skea, Alessio Angelucci, Paolantonio Mariano, Nero Vidjak

Water polo U15A

Back row: Ross Stuart, Chris Taylor, Jack Brady, Mark Hudson, Anthony Wilson, Jack Waddell Front row: Samuel Kobus, Michael Jack, Dylan Botha, Ms M Namba, Jensen Welton, Keanu De Andrade, Seth McLoughlin

Water polo U15B

Back row: Matthew Crawford, Luke Veitch, Kurt Leenstra, Cade Topping, Stefan De Ruiter, Levi Lowenthal Front row: Ross Kempster, Andreas Yiallouris, Brennan Bernariusz, Ms M Namba, Andreas Paschalides, Michael Henderson, Alexander Booysen

Water polo U14A

Back row: Ruttger Schliesser, Brendan Hope, Michael Daniels, Jack Downie, Robert Jervis, Christos Stefanakis, Daniel Rundle, Erik Arwidi, Cheydon Goodwill Front row: Matteo Scarcella, Andrea Angelucci, Tristan Lambe, Mr M Orr, Austin Mutooni, Hayden Thomas, Blaine Willson

COLLEGE

ACTIVITIES