Nelson Mandela Bay aiming to make a mark at IPT
Preparations for the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament are well underway, with just two weeks remaining before the u19 event kicks off at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools in East London.
The annual competition, which features boys and girls competing in the u13, u14, u15, u16, and u19 age groups, takes place from 7-11 December and brings together the top provinces from across South Africa, plus the Aussie Crocs, a team from Queensland, who will be competing in the u19 IPT for the first time.
Western Province won the boys’ title in Gqeberha last year. They will have to wiggle their way past tough opposition if they are to go back-to-back under coach Jabulani Sibiya.
It’s an open race, with KwaZulu-Natal, Central Gauteng, and Buffalo City among the strong challengers vying for spots on the podium.
A team that wants to include themselves in that conversation is Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The boys from Gqeberha will enter the tournament seeking to improve on their seventh-place finish in 2023, which was followed by fifth place at the Currie Cup, in March.
Coach Daniel Ward is the man entrusted to lead the team after taking over the reins from Seth Harty.
In his team, Ward has named five players from St Andrew’s College: Adam Nurse, Coel Trollip, Joshua Hinks, vice-captain Calum Emslie, and soccer sensation Asante Chivere.
From Pearson High, he has selected captain Daylan van Niekerk, along with Rolan Swanevelder, Zandre Botha, Jacques De Koker, and Josh Groener.
Two players from Grey High – Spencer Adshade and Blake Peinke – have been included in the lineup, while Oliver Martin, from Woodridge College, completes the squad.
“The team selection for the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) u19 boys came from me and a strong group of coaches on the selection panel at trials,” Ward told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“There are exciting combinations from St Andrew’s College and Pearson High School. Fortunately, most of the boys played together last year at the u16 IPT.”
Seven members of the squad featured for NMB at the Currie Cup, so cohesion should not be an issue. An area of concern, however, has been their preparation, with half of the team based in Gqeberha, while others are in Makhanda, over 120km away.
The players have had to stay disciplined and train on their own, as Ward explained: “Preparations for IPTs are never easy when you’re trying to find time between end-of-year exams and getting players from Gqeberha and Makhanda together at the same time.
“The players have been able to keep fit during the week at their schools, but having the whole team together regularly has been difficult.”
The majority of the players were members of the Nelson Mandela Bay u16 side that finished fifth at the IPT in Gqeberha last year. Despite moving up an age group, the coach believes his players can replicate that good showing.
“There is a point to prove,” he said. “We’re going into the tournament with a goal, and we’ll take it one step at a time.
“We know what competition lies ahead of us. Our biggest battle will be our mentality going into the games. The team has great potential, but they can’t lose the game before they get into the pool.
“It would be a great achievement for them to make it into a semifinal,” he concluded.
Nelson Mandela Bay u19 team
Adam Nurse, Asante Chivere, Calum Emslie (vc), Coel Trollip, Joshua Hinks (St Andrews College), Daylan van Niekerk (c), Zandre Botha, Jacques De Koker, Josh Groener, Rolan Swanevelder (Pearson High), Spencer Adshade, Blake Peinke (Grey High School), Oliver Martin (Woodridge College).
Head coach: Daniel Ward
Manager: Bryce Jennings
