Matthew makes a big splash
NGN speaks to local SA U16 water polo player, Matthew Bedderson, who recently played in an international tournament in Malta.
MATTHEW Bedderson’s progression in the sport of water polo has been a rather seamless one. Although the 15-year-old Durban North resident might disagree, his record speaks for itself. The Northwood School pupil was recently chosen to represent South Africa in the U16B squad at an international tournament in Malta recently.
The local pupil, who has made every KZN team since Grade 8, said he was honoured by his SA call-up.
“I was surprised when they told me I made the team. Excited, but shocked, I just couldn’t believe it. Seven players from each province were chosen to attend the trials and I made the team, which was just an incredible achievement. The tournament was a real eye-opener and although we lost all our games, I felt the team really gelled and that we weren’t too far off from the other teams,” he said.
The SA squads took on England, Malta and Holland in the U18 tournament. Bedderson also scored a goal against the Roses of England.
“That was special, especially the manner in which I scored. England was dominating us in the hole man area of the pool, which, in the sport, is critical for scoring goals. My team was struggling to compete physically with them and I decided to step up to the plate.
“I just remember the ball coming to me and I saw the keeper was slightly off his line and I lobbed him. It was a fantastic moment,” he said.
The Grade 10 pupil also spoke to Northglen News about the physical demands of the sport.
“It’s all about how long you can tread water. We have to keep ourselves afloat for indefinite amounts of time, which tests your fitness. We swim close to four kilometres per match and we cannot touch the bottom of the pool, all while wrestling and fighting with another opponent,” he explains.
If that wasn’t hard enough, players also have to make precision passes and ultimately score while under physical strain.
While the local resident holds no lofty ambitions with regards to his future in water polo, Bedderson does have international aspirations in another sporting code – swimming.
“I would love to make the senior swimming squad and the Olympic squad. I’ve always loved water and at the moment I’m a KZN level three swimmer. My goal is to represent my country at an international level,” he said.
