4 minute read
NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED
BY ROBIN ADAMS
WATER POLO has been described as the toughest sport in the world. A sometimes brutal combination of strength, stamina, speed and endurance, the sport first debuted in the United States in the late 19th century. Few would have predicted the speed with which it would take off globally.
IN SOUTH AFRICA, however, a country obsessed with football, cricket and rugby, where the majority of the population have little access to basic amenities, let alone a swimming pool, the aquatic discipline has long been fighting for recognition. Water polo only made an appearance at the University of the Western Cape in the last few years and is still a work-in-progress. One of the star players is Chad Roman, a self-confessed water polo nut, having been involved with the sport for nearly 15 years. After narrowly missing out on the rescheduled Tokyo Games last year, he’s working towards qualification for Paris 2024. As first-team captain and coach, Roman is hard at work promoting the sport on campus.
“We’re in a building phase at the moment,” he explains. “We suffered quite a blow with COVID-19 restrictions and difficulties with pool access. Right now we are trying to grow and promote water polo and welcome players of all skill levels to come and try out, those that have played at high school or those who are comfortable in the water. It’s a great way to stay fit and make new friends on campus. “As one of the players in the national setup, I always try and share my experience and knowledge of the game to cultivate and improve all the players involved with UWC water polo. I always try and encourage those that are more advanced to join the league as it is a way for them to get regular fixtures and further improve their game.”
AASHIQ RAFFIE from East London is a fi nal-year social work student at UWC and another star water polo player. His passion for the sport dates back to Grade 4.
“It was love at first sight when I saw what it was about,” he recalls. “I just enjoy the whole dynamic of the game. It really showcased itself to me. Water polo as a whole creates friendships because you bond with your teammates. You learn to understand their style of play and what they are about as well.” Raffie has represented Border and also played for the SA men’s side. With regards to it being a rather exclusive sport, he says: “I think we are on the move towards inclusivity where disadvantaged schools will be able to play water polo, with the various resources that are given to them.”
Raffie says they can build a formidable squad on campus too.
“The goal is to create awareness and recruit players and make UWC known for water polo as well. That is what we are striving towards. Building upon the existing resources.”
- CHAD ROMAN
ROMAN MEANWHILE DREAMS BIG. He says, “In five years’ time, I hope to see both the men’s and women’s teams from UWC compete at top events like USSA (University Sport South Africa). We’d also love to see UWC have teams in the local league to give our players a chance to train and play matches all year round and also an opportunity for our top players to try out for the national side for events like the World Student Games. [We should] also establish a culture where UWC is hosting matches at our lovely venue and the students, alumni, family members and people who are keen to watch come and support our teams.”
DERICK ORDERSON, the head of the aquatics programme at UWC, is 100% on board. “For now, we’ll participate by arranging friendly matches against other institutions and clubs, just to get things started. But the idea is to make it viable for players to compete at a league level.”
Roman adds, “I’ve coached at Pinelands for the last few years and it is one of UWC’s big feeder schools with regard to water polo. So it’s also about building a relationship there as it is important to encourage and motivate those learners to continue their studies, but also progress to varsity polo and take their game to the next level. I hope we can expand on this as the feeding system is big and we need more players to choose UWC to study and play polo.”
B+G
