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New water polo franchise series ready to churn up water as driver for change in sport

The South Africa Water Polo Winter Series, a new national franchise tournament, is set to bring the country's top competitors to Nelson Mandela Bay from August 8 to 10. Image: Chris van Lennep / Depositphoto Water polo's new national franchise tournament is set to make a splash after borrowing from the concept of SA20 cricket's draft system, and could also tap into the pool of rugby talent in SA. The inaugural event of the new Winter Series, sponsored by leading automation manufacturer Jendamark, will see 112 of the country's elite senior players drafted into four men's and four women's squads that are set to churn up the water of the Newton Park Indoor Pool in Gqeberha from August 8 to 10. Treading water The franchise system is designed to help level the playing field and offer an alternative to the regional dominance of Western Province and Gauteng teams in inter-provincial competition. It also marks the first national tournament run under the auspices of the newly formed South Africa Water Polo (SAWP), which has successfully challenged Swimming South Africa in court for the rights to promote the interests of this growing sport. Tournament director Siegfried Lokotsch, who also the title sponsor's director of operations, said adding a new franchise event to the national calendar would reinvigorate senior competition and extend the season beyond the traditional autumn finish. 'This franchise format creates a fresh dynamic that's both exciting to watch and allows players to compete strength for strength. Our sport is not going to get stronger if only the top provinces are getting stronger,' he said. Swimming coach Tyra Roozendaal puts participants in the Learn to Polo development programme, which is part of SAWP's plan to grow the sport, through their paces. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Leg up With the game gaining traction at top schools countrywide, Lokotsch said it was important to reignite competitive senior water polo, while also promoting grassroots development. Lokotsch said year-round development would be at the heart of SAWP's efforts, with the Nelson Mandela Bay region creating the blueprint of what this could look like. With the help of volunteers like Claudia Charles, a former water polo player whose eldest daughter, Jenna, now represents Eastern Province, the Learn to Polo development programme is introducing children in the northern areas and township schools to swimming and, ultimately, water polo. 'I'm so grateful to them for seeing the need to develop. Water polo has a rich history in the northern areas, and the Gelvandale pool played a big role in getting kids into the sport when I was at school. But with lack of infrastructure and systems support, it fell away,' said Charles. 'The idea is to identify and nurture emerging talent throughout the programme, and possibly get them into water polo-playing schools,' explained Lokotsch. Crossover opportunities 'There is so much rugby talent coming from under-resourced schools, and this is where we are missing a trick. I believe rugby players make the best water polo players, and vice versa. Some of our Springbok stars, like Malcolm Marx, were also great at polo. 'So, there's a real opportunity to unlock that untapped potential. We're best in the world at rugby, we could also be best in the world in the water.' Chapman High School teacher Shari Kemp said the Gelvandale-based school was happy to have been included in the after-school programme. 'It means a lot to the learners. They don't always have the opportunities or the resources. So, for them to be involved in such an amazing programme, with people who know so much about the sport, is a great learning opportunity. They're a bit nervous but excited to learn.' If successful, the new Winter Series format will be expanded to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban next year.