St Stithians School hosted its annual Water Polo Invitational with 199 action-packed water polo games that saw 58 schools tread water, throw and compete with pride.
The tournament took place from 20 to 23 October. Liske van Tubbergh, chairperson of the Saints Water Polo Invitational said, “It is a huge event on the inter-schools’ water polo calendar and, as always, promises superb water polo and great spirit.
“We have spent some time preparing for it and we know that it was worthwhile for players and spectators alike. We thank all our sponsors who have helped make this event possible.”
The schools attended in high spirits and teams and supporters filled the Saints Aquatics Centre. The event was not only for schools in the surrounding areas and saw teams from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Zimbabwe come together to play for the opportunity to be named the tournament winners in their age group.
After a number of thrilling matches, Reddam House Girls’ Preparatory from Cape Town took home the junior girls’ title, St David’s Marist Inanda Preparatory took home the junior boys’ title, St Stithians Girls’ College took home the senior girls’ title, and Rondebosch Boys’ High took home the senior boys’ title.
St Stithians was particularly proud to have their senior girls and senior boys teams in the final. However, after a tight and exciting boys’ senior final, Rondebosch Boys’ won the title beating Saints 9–8.
Dr Tim Nuttall, the rector of St Stithians College, described the tournament as ‘a spectacle of water polo’ with an ‘electric atmosphere’ in his speech at the awards ceremony.
St Stithians College said they were very grateful to all of the sponsors for their support.