Roedean launches 8th Water Polo Prestige Cup
PARKTOWN – Old Mutual and Roedean School came together in launching the 8th Water Polo Prestige Cup focusing on giving children essential swimming skills.
With weather experts forecasting several heatwaves across the country, most people will be seeking to immerse themselves in water to freshen up.
However, it is important to learn the skills of swimming and the younger the better.
Roedean School in partnership with Old Mutual launched the Water Polo Prestige Cup towards this purpose. A prerequisite for the schools competing in this tournament is to have a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) learn-to-swim component. Each school has partnered with an under-resourced school or community and has implemented a sustainable programme which teaches swimming and or water polo at its partnership school or community.
Fundraising manager at the school, Kate Lowings said the cup aimed to create a unique social responsibility opportunity with the aim of developing skills in swimming and water polo, especially for children from under-resourced environments.
This year’s captain of water polo at the school, Georgina Chapel said, “It has been a loyal journey from Old Mutual and we are so grateful to them for their contribution and support.”
A parent at the school who is involved in the learn-to-swim-programme, Johann Muller explained the CSI aspect of the cup. “Case studies show a number of unintended drownings in the country and some are near-fatal drownings,” he said.
“Kids end up with disabilities and suffer irreparable damages and the reason is that most parents have not taught their children to be water-safe.”
Muller added that it was, therefore, a prerequisite for schools participating in this tournament to have a partner school that is less fortunate and invest time and money in that school and put a sustainable learn-to-swim programme in place.
Head of Roedean School, Murray Thomas welcomed their new partner school, Johannesburg Preparatory School. He also extended his gratitude to Old Mutual for their ongoing support and everyone else involved in the project including Gauteng Swimming and Swim South Africa.
Old Mutual’s marketing manager Paul Brewer said, “We should actually promote this type of programme because not only will it save lives but it also incites confidence whether within the recreational or professional perspective.”
The school’s water polo vice-captain, Ana Trninc concluded, “We at Roedean are very proud to be a part of a programme that makes a positive difference in our respective communities and we would like to thank all who make it possible.”
Details: Roedean School 011 647 3200
Do you have any awesome stories to share from your school? Email journalist, Naidine Sibanda on naidines@caxton.co.za or editor Ashtyn Mackenzie on ashtynm@caxton.co.za
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