Congratulations to our exceptionally talented Sydney Jacobs who has just returned from representing South Africa in Water Polo at the U17 European Union Nations Cup in Denmark.

Sydney attended the National Training Camp at St Stithians at the end of March after which the 13-strong team travelled to Odense in Denmark to compete in the U17 European Union Nations Cup from 1 – 3 April 2016.

Eight countries competed and South Africa dominated from start to finish. The two semi-finals featured SA v England and Malta v Czech Republic. The SA team won gold in the finals by beating Czech Rep 15-3.

Sydney played mid or wing and scored three goals in the Cup. Well done, Sydney! You did us and South Africa proud.

Sydney Jacobs with her U17 SA National squad.

SA U17 National Water Polo Team.

Sydney in action.

Sydney in action.

Our U19A boys and girls travelled to the Oakhill Open Water Festival in Knysna for the fourth consecutive time last weekend. It is a special experience for the players and they can count themselves truly blessed to have reaped such a spectacular reward for all their hard efforts in training and their commitment to the sport.

The festival takes place over four days in two constructed pools in the Knysna harbour, making for a truly unique experience. It is a festival rather than a tournament and so the atmosphere is one of great camaraderie and friendship amongst the teams, an ethos that is strongly emphasised by the organisers. Nevertheless it is pleasant to report that the boys won all seven of their matches by considerable margins (every outfield player scored at least one goal) and the girls also performed fantastically to dominate all but one of their seven matches.

Christopher Timm was voted as the best boys’ goalkeeper of the festival and Winona Autagavaia was the top goal scorer in the girls' division. The Pinelands players did us proud with their flawless manners, admirable sportsmanship, fervent spirit and irrepressible charisma.

Christopher Timm (Best Boys’ Goalkeeper) and Winona Autagavaia (Top Goal Scorer)