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The water polo tournament was a success

November 06, 2015 | Campus
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The Aquatics Centre. Photo courtesy of Frank Baker

The Saints Invitational Water Polo tournament has been running for over 20 years and each year brings its own excitement. This year, over 200 games were played in total and we had teams from across South Africa and teams from Zimbabwe participating. It was a fantastic celebration of the sport and a wonderful way to use our incredible Aquatics Centre to its full capacity.Many of the coaches, players, and spectators mentioned how well-organised the tournament was and how much fun they had at the tournament.

The fourth and final day of the tournament involved the announcement of the "All Stars" and the tournament winners. The "All Stars" are players in various age groups that are voted for by the tournament teams. The players with the most votes for a particular postion are named "All Stars" and they receive a special "All Stars" towel. Thus, an "All Stars" team can be named based on these votes.

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The "All Stars" towels. Photo by Lethabo-Thabo Royds

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From left: Dr Tim Nuttall, Rector, Mrs Liske van Tubbergh, a member of the water polo tournamnet organising committee, Mr Alistair Stewart, Advancement Director, Mr Frank Baker, chairperson of the water polo tournament organising committee

The tournament also used the Saints events app extensively to ensure the latest fixtures, results, and info was all available as soon as possible.

The top three placings for the tournament are as follows:

Junior boys

  1. Reddam House (Cape Town)
  2. The Ridge (Johannesburg)
  3. St David's Marist Borthers, Inanda (Johannesburg)

Junior girls 

  1. Reddam House (Cape Town)
  2. Chisipite Senior School (Zimbabwe)
  3. Girls' Prep Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)

Senior boys 

  1. St John's College (Johannesburg)
  2. Clifton School (Durban)
  3. Glenwood High School (Durban)

Senior girls

  1. Reddam House (Cape Town)
  2. Pearson High School (Port Elizabeth)
  3. Stirling High School (East London)

Among other things, tournament participants and attendees enjoyed a hospitality area (with a beer tent, provided by the OSA, for over 18s) and great security provided by the Ops 99 team. Tournament vendors included Spur (who also sponsored meals for players, coaches, managers, and tournament staff), Amici, Pappa Barista, Wendy's Lemonade and Wakaberry. The Boys' College Interact committee were also at the tournament selling drinks and ice cream to raise funds for charity. The boys did a fantastic job working to raise money over their half-term break. Well done, and thank you to these boys.

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Tournament hospitality area. Photo courtesy of Frank baker

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Tournament hospitality area. Photo courtesy of Frank baker

Thank you to the following sponsors for their generosity which helped make the tournament a success:

  • Maitland Group, who are our main sponsor for the tournament for the next three years
  • City Lodge, for high quality accommodation for the tournament teams
  • Spur, who made all the delicious meals that were available to the teams at no cost to the teams
  • Opal Sports, for the generous contribution of Conti balls which were the tournament balls
  • Energade, for the tasty drinks for the officials
  • FUTURELIFE, for the shakes and energy snacks given out over the course of the tournament
  • Amici, for great food and the discount voucher for players, coaches, managers, officials, adn tournament staff

We also thank the following sponsors for great goodie bag items for the players, coaches, and managers:

Congratulations to all the participants, coaches and managers. A huge thank you is also due to the organising committee and St Stithians staff for their hard work in putting together a fantastic weekend of water polo.