Durban Girls’ College a title threat at St Anne’s Water Polo Tournament
The Durban Girls’ College (DGC) first water polo side has enjoyed an incredible start to the season under the leadership of head coach Peter Lavett and captain Lara Mervis.
They began their campaign by winning the KZN Top 10 Girls’ Water Polo Tournament in home waters earlier this month.
DGC was dominant, dictating play from start to finish in an unbeaten run which culminated in a 10-2 win over St Anne’s Diocesan College in the final.
A week later, the Durbanites journeyed to Cape Town to contest the Mackenzie Cup, which was hosted by Reddam House Constantia.
DGC headed into the event with a good history at the tournament, having won it in 2023, but they were defeated in the semi-finals in 2024.
There were no mishaps this time around as coach Lavett’s girls brought their A-game and dominated their Pool, beating Herschel Girls School, Clarendon, and Glenwood House.
Then, they thumped DSG Makhanda 9-2 in the semifinals. They were made to work hard by Reddam House, the team that had ended their run in 2024, in the final, but they came through with an 8-6 win over the hosts.
All of those outstanding achievements, however, are in the past, and DGC’s focus has shifted to the St Anne’s Water Polo Tournament, which runs from 26-28 September.
Coach Lavett spoke to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the tournament. “The mood in the camp is really high and focused on the tournament ahead,” he said.
“All players have performed [well], and we are in a good space. At the Mackenzie Cup, we followed the game plan at all times.
“The players know their role in each position, and we play to the last whistle.”
DGC, the seventh-place finishers in last year’s tournament, have been drawn in Pool B where they will face Roedean School, Rhenish Girls’ High, and St Dominic’s Boksburg.
Lavett believes his charges are in for a difficult challenge: “We are in a really tough pool and need to be at our best,” he said. “But we need to beat everyone if we want to go all the way.
“Spectators can expect a fast, disciplined team that does not stop, with a solid bench that doesn’t slow us down at the end of a game.”
DGC’s quest for a third trophy will begin against St Dominic’s at 11:45 on Friday.
Catch the game LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
DGC TEAM
Hannah Weinert, Inge Southey, Isabella Stephenson, Kayla Andrews, Josie Phillips, Bailey Bartlett, Lara Nel, Lara Mervis ©, Riley Coetzee, Peta Mazery, Lia Janse van Rensburg, Jazlyn Moolman, Nthabiseng Mathibeli.
Coach – Peter Lavett
Manager – Alexandra Robinson
