South Africa’s top junior water polo players recently underwent an intensive high-performance training camp, aiming to sharpen their skills ahead of major international tournaments. However, coaches and organizers warn that a lack of strong developmental structures and limited international exposure could hinder the sport’s growth in the country.
The training program, spearheaded by Elevate High Performance Water Polo, brought together the nation’s most promising Under-16 and Under-19 players. Elevate, a pioneering initiative, seeks to transform South African water polo from a fringe sport into a globally competitive discipline.
Preparing for the Global Stage
The young athletes are set to face elite European and international teams in the coming months. The U16 squads will compete in Spain’s Summer Cup in June, while the U19 teams will test themselves at the Next Generation Cup in Barcelona in September.
Despite their determination, coaches acknowledge the challenges ahead. Duncan Woods, a former national player and coach, highlighted the gaps in South Africa’s water polo system.
“We’ve got good athletes, strong swimmers, and good schools—those are our strengths,” Woods said. “But we lack international competition, strong club leagues, and well-developed national programs. We need better pathways for players to progress from school to club to national level.”
Facing Uphill Battles
Jono Swanepoel, coach of the U19 boys’ team, admitted that the squad is entering the Barcelona tournament with no illusions about the difficulty of the competition.
“We’re not going with expectations—we’re going to see how we measure up against the best,” Swanepoel said. “We’re proud of our preparation, and we want to represent South Africa well.”
Goalkeeper specialist coach Lwazi Madi echoed concerns about the players’ limited exposure to high-level international play.
“Many of these players haven’t experienced the intensity of overseas water polo,” he said. “In Europe, kids start younger and play in much more competitive environments. It’s a different level.”
Creating Opportunities for Women
Delaine Mentoor, head coach of the U19 women’s team, emphasized the importance of Elevate’s program in keeping female athletes involved in the sport after high school.
“After matric, there aren’t many opportunities for women to play at a high level,” Mentoor said. “This program provides structured training and a pathway to stay competitive beyond school.”
Potential Split from Swimming South Africa
Amid frustrations over insufficient support from the national federation, Elevate is considering breaking away from Swimming South Africa (SSA). The matter is currently before the Western Cape Division of the High Court, signaling a potential turning point for the sport’s governance.
As South Africa’s young water polo stars prepare to take on the world, the broader challenge remains: building a sustainable system that nurtures talent and provides the competition needed to compete internationally.
For now, the focus is on Spain—and proving that South African water polo has what it takes to make waves globally.
