Reddam Bedfordview and Woodridge clinch National Co-Ed Water Polo titles
The National Co-Ed Water Polo Tournament came to an exciting conclusion at Pearson High School in Gqeberha on Sunday, with Reddam House Bedfordview (girls) and Woodridge College (boys) emerging as the champions after four tough days of all-out water polo action.
The tournament, which featured 36 teams from across the country, showcased the growing standard of schools’ water polo and delivered plenty of action, from narrow shootout wins to high-scoring thrillers.
In the girls’ category, Reddam Bedfordview completed a flawless campaign by defeating Kingswood College 10–7 in an exciting final.
Anastasia Hambakis, who represented South Africa at the World Aquatics Women’s U18 Water Polo Championships in 2024, powered her side to victory, scoring four goals, while Aimme Hattingh and Caitlin Scrimgeour netted three each. Kingswood replied through Megan Fletcher and Casey Williamson, who each scored twice, while Caitlin Steymann, Megan Sheard, and Kate Wilson struck once each.
Reddam’s dynamic forward line shone as they claimed a hard-fought win over a strong Kingswood side that refused to back down until the final whistle.
In the battle for the bronze medals, Pearson High edged out St Peter’s College 5–3, which delighted the home supporters. Hudson Park ended their campaign on a high note, too, beating Beaulieu College 7–4 to finish fifth.
In the boys’ division, Woodridge College produce a stunning display to claim the championship in emphatic style, with an 11-2 hammering of Pearson.
Christian Chandler netted four goals, while Carter Rosser and Oliver Martin both registered two each, with further strikes from Gian Moolman, Sam Barnes, and Daniel Henning aiding Woodridge’s winning effort. Rolan Swanevelder scored both goals for the hosts.
Pearson had dominated the tournament from the start, finishing the group stage unbeaten and with a positive goal difference of 37, which was 10 more than the 27 achieved by Woodridge, but they were well beaten in the final.
In the bronze medal playoff, Glenwood House overcame St Peter’s College 12–7 in an exciting contest filled with end-to-end action.
Steyn City School held on for a narrow 5-4 win over Reddam Bedfordview to finish fifth, while Stirling High School snatched a 6–5 win over their East London rivals, Hudson Park, to take seventh place.
RESULTS
Girls
17/18: Alex 1-10 NNMU/VC Invitational
15/16: Rand Park 3-7 Curro Hillcrest
13/14: Steyn City 5-8 Merrifield
11/12: Westerford 4-10 Woodridge
9/10: Crawford 3-7 Glenwood House
7/8: Stirling 1-5 Thomas More
5/6: Hudson Park 7-4 Beaulieu
3/4: Pearson 5-3 St Peter’s
1/2: Reddam Bedfordview 10-7 Kingswood
Boys
17/18: Invitational 7-3 Co-ed Invitational
15/16: Alex Road 3-7 Rand Park
13/14: Thomas More 6-7 Reddam Helderfontein
11/12: Curro Hillcrest 2-7 Westerford
9/10: Merrifield 6-8 Kingswood
7/8: Hudson Park 5-6 Stirling
5/6: Reddam Bedfordview 4-5 Steyn City
3/4: St Peter’s 7-12 Glenwood House
1/2: Pearson 2-11 Woodridge
