With the senior national teams focused on nerxt month's Water Polo World Cup, the national championships are being used as an opportunity for under-18 and under-16 players to impress selectors ahead of the world championships for those age groups later in the year.
Image: World Aquatics
Durban will host the next generation of South African water polo stars this weekend when the SA National Water Polo Championships get under way with a fresh focus on youth development.
With the country’s senior national teams preparing for the forthcoming Water Polo World Cup in April, this year’s national championships have been designed to showcase the country’s emerging talent at under-18 and under-16 level.
The weekend's tournament will feature a unique format in which players entered individually before being allocated to balanced teams. Those teams will compete in a round-robin competition, providing selectors with a broader opportunity to assess players outside of their usual provincial combinations.
In addition to match play, the under-18 players will also undergo fitness and mobility testing during the weekend as selectors assess candidates for national team selection. At the conclusion of the tournament, 14 under-18 players along with several reserves will be chosen to represent South Africa at the World Aquatics Under-18 World Championships later this year.
Coach Masi Namba feels that the youth-centric SA National Water Polo Championships in Durban this weekend are an essential tool for the continued development and growth of water polo the country.
Image: Swiiming south Afreica
The men’s tournament will take place in Portugal from June 27 to July 4, while the women’s event is scheduled for Spain from August 16-23 .
For the under-16 athletes, the championships serve as the first step in the selection process. Around 30 to 32 players will be invited to a final selection camp in May ahead of the World Aquatics Under-16 World Championships in Croatia. The women’s tournament will run from July 25-31, with the men competing from August 3-9 .
The unconventional team structure presents both an opportunity and a challenge for players and coaches alike. National women’s under-16 head coach Masi Namba, who will oversee one of the mixed teams during the tournament, believes the format encourages adaptability and highlights individual strengths in a team environment.
“This format gives me the exciting opportunity to coach players I wouldn’t normally work with,” said Namba.
“My approach is to keep things simple and focus on aspects of the game that bring out each player’s strengths. Since these nationals also serve as trials, it’s important that players remember this is a team sport. Everyone needs to do their role while also showcasing their individual skills and talents. Teamwork is absolutely essential in water polo.”
She added that building trust quickly is essential when working with unfamiliar players, particularly in a sport that relies heavily on teamwork. “These players are the future of our sport,” Namba said. “Investing in them is vital for the continued growth of water polo in South Africa.”
The under-16 matches will be played at Northwood School and Durban Girls’ College, while the under-18 competition will take place at Reddam House in Umhlanga.