SA u18 girls out to impress at World Champs
The South African u18 water polo girls’ team will be aiming to make good use of a rare opportunity to compete on the global stage when they contest the World Aquatics Women’s u18 Water Polo Championships in Chengdu, China, from 15 to 22 September.
The 15-member squad includes players from Central Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape.
They’ll be under the guidance of head coach Ismaeel Essa, who will be assisted by Central Gauteng‘s Kelsey Thomson, with Kagiso Musi serving as the team’s manager.
In March, in East London, after the South African Junior Water Polo Championship was won by Thomson’s side, who defeated Western Province 11-7 in the final, the squad was announced.
Amy Smith, Mia Loizides, Simpihwe Zulu, Ogechi McMurray (GK), and Anatasia Hambikis were selected after helping Central Gauteng claim the inter-provincial crown.
Western Province, with six – Hannah Banks, Emily van Heerden, Amy van Breda, Alexa de Villiers, Roxanne Uys, and Emma Catto – has the greatest representation in the national squad.
Kate Swainston-Harrison (GK) and Inge Southey, from KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape‘s Kiyara Campbell and Tori Voke complete the squad.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the tournament, assistant coach Kelsey Thomson said despite some difficult obstacles, the team has prepared well and the girls are raring to go.
“That’s always been a difficult thing for us as national players in South Africa, not being funded and not always able to train together,” she said.
“However, we’ve managed to put things together, and what has been possible this time around is having training camps. We’ve had three over three months and there’s one more now before we leave, so we can’t complain about preparation.”
The South African team heads into the tournament as an underdog, but they will be out to cause an upset or two. Their ranks include players who have proven themselves in the spotlight, led by the Central Gauteng contingent, who helped their team to the Inter-Provincial Tournament title in Gqeberha in December 2023 before capturing the Currie Cup in East London in March.
“I think it brings a lot of confidence to the team because there are a few members of Central Gauteng and Western Province that were in the final of the IPTs and the Currie Cup,” Thomson said. “They were evenly matched in both matches and that will bring a lot of strength to the team.
“Everyone is looking in good shape, players are growing from camp to camp, and the confidence is there to see.”
South Africa’s tough challenge in China includes facing Thailand, Croatia, and Canada in their pool. Thompson said she wants the team to compete and to be competitive.
“We have strong teams in our pool, but we are hoping to do well and advance as best as we can in the tournament, We want to make sure we’ve implemented everything that we’ve put into training,” she explained.
“Any exposure to international water polo is important and it gives the coaches, players, and referees a chance to see what other countries are doing. Exposure to playing at a high level is what we need and learning from all those elements is important.
“We’ve always said we need more game time at this level, and now we have the opportunity.”
TEAM
Kate Swainston-Harrison and Inge Southey (KZN); Hannah Banks, Emily van Heerden, Amy van Breda, Alexa de Villiers, Roxanne Uys, and Emma Catto (Western Cape); Kiyara Campbell and Tori Voke (Eastern Cape); Amy Smith, Mia Loizides, Simpihwe Zulu, Ogechi McMurray, Anatasia Hambikis (all Central Gauteng)
Non-travelling reserves
Lucy Davis and Ruby Carlson (Central Gauteng);, Isabella Tooley and Isabella Murray (Western Cape); Caitlin McMurray and Kayla Andrews (KZN).
Management
Kagiso Musi – Team Manager
Ismaeel Essa – Head Coach
Kelsey Thompson/Assistant Coach
