Nelson Mandela Bay gunning for IPT title in home waters
It’s just under a month before the annual Inter-provincial Water Polo Tournament kicks off in Gqeberha in December.
The tournament will see provincial teams from around the country make the trip down to the windy city for a series of fixtures to determine which team is the best in South Africa.
The hosts, Nelson Mandela Bay, are underdogs, but they will be aiming to cause an upset and win the title in their home waters. They will be banking on home-ground advantage, their familiarity with conditions in the City, and the ever-present local support.
The boys’ and girls’ senior teams for the occasion have been finalised, with players from many of the Eastern Cape’s top schools – including Grey High School, Kingswood College, St Andrew’s College, Diocesan School for Girls, and Pearson High School – well represented.
The boys’ side has eight players from Grey High School, and three from Makhanda’s St Andrew’s College, who were in sublime form during the season.
Pearson High has two representatives: Zack Willimott and Salmaan Abrahams.
The side will aim to tap into the confidence the St Andrew’s players will bring, after they finished their season on a high by claiming a bronze medal at the St Stithians Water Polo Invitational tournament last month.
College’s Nicholas Franklin is also one to look out for. He was one of the most impressive players in action at the Saints Invitational, where he earned himself a place in the team of the tournament.
The team will be coached by Grant Mackenzie, with Debbie Windsor taking on the role of team manager.
The girls’ team, on the other hand, has a healthy mix of DSG (Diocesan School for Girls), and Kingswood College players in the 13-member squad.
Rightfully so, the two sides have dominated in the Eastern Cape, representing the province in various national tournaments outside of the province, and ranking among the best sides in the country.
Two players from Pearson High are also included in the side, with Jorja Ross and Teagan Harty representing the Summerstrand school in the biggest tournament of their lives.
They will be coached by Julia Gaybba, with Kingswood’s Kyle Kumm as the assistant coach. Avril Harty is the team manager.
The first salvos in the tournament will be fired on the 9th of December, with the final matches scheduled for the 13th of December.
The Team
Boys
Oliver Klatte (Grey High School), Daniel de Lange (Grey High School), Guy Fraser (St Andrew’s College), Jon Hobson (Grey High School), Jono Mackenzie (St Andrew’s College), Luke Lightening (Grey High School), Luke Mallet (Grey High School), Mark Brombacher (Grey High School), Nicholas Franklin (St Andrew’s College), Salmaan Abrahams (Pearson High School), Samuel Marston (Grey High School), Tawfiq Akomolafe (Grey High School), Zack Willimott (Pearson High School).
Girls
Amelia Brown (DSG), Olivia Connellan (Kingswood College), Dominique de Jongh (Kingswood College), Avuyisiwe Dyaphu (DSG), Teagan Harty (Pearson High), Julia Hough (Kingswood College), Amie Jenner (DSG), Matipa Karimazondo (Kingswood College), Jamie Lacey (Kingswood), Anna Christensen Pinto (DSG), Jorja Ross (Pearson High), Amy Wilson (Kingswood College), Jasmine Witthuhn (Kingswood College).
