FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

AWARDS: Colours: Keagan Elliott, Daniel Carr Half Colours: Tristan Atkinson, Reily Elliot, Tane Greene, Oliver Guy, James Hayward-Butt, Nicholas Purdy, Elliot Springate, Jess Webber SPECIAL AWARDS: Kyle Pepper Trophy – For Service to Water Polo: Luke Davidson Lyle Trophy – The Most Valuable Player: Elliot Springate Whitaker Trophy – The Most Improved Player: Daniel Carr Players’ Player of the Year Trophy: Luke Davidson PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATION: KwaZulu-Natal U14A: Matthew Shannon KwaZulu-Natal U16A: Oliver Guy, Elliot Springate, Tane Greene (non-travelling) KwaZulu-Natal U19B: Daniel Carr, Keagan Elliott, Nicholas Smithers (non-travelling) ater polo continues to grow in popularity at Michaelhouse, with more than 125 boys participating across 11 teams in 2024. The year began with an excellent preseason camp, where 50 boys were rigorously prepared for the impending season. The presence of Mr Ryan Bell, a highly decorated Springbok water polo player, added a competitive edge to the camp. His expertise as both a centre forward and centre back was invaluable. Fast forward 12 months, and our boys have completed another successful season, competing in 208 formal matches. The A teams faced formidable opposition in an intensely competitive provincial and national landscape, and their results reflected this challenge. Meanwhile, the B and lower teams demonstrated the depth of Michaelhouse water polo, often achieving excellent win-to loss ratios, often against higher-ranked opposition. Attendance at national tournaments remains a vital aspect of our programme, ensuring the continued growth and development of our players. This year, Michaelhouse teams participated in 14 tournaments. Although no silverware was added to our trophy cabinet, our teams acquitted themselves admirably against the country’s best. Despite challenging conditions – including bitterly cold water and lightning-interrupted training sessions before the September tournaments – our players displayed remarkable resilience and commitment. This unwavering determination continues to enhance Michaelhouse’s competitiveness in both KwaZulu-Natal and South African water polo arenas. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON Several moments from the season deserve special mention: FACILITIES UPGRADE Our water polo facilities received significant enhancements, including an upgraded heating system and a world-class first team changeroom. CEREMONIAL CAP A new, ceremonial cap was introduced as a participation award W

for boys who represent the first team with dedication but may not qualify for provincial colours or other sporting accolades. PROVINCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS This year five boys earned their KZN colours, and two others narrowly missed selection as non-travelling reserves – a testament to their dedication and hard work. Held in extreme weather conditions, namely the snow, the U15 tournament was a resounding success. Numerous teams have already expressed interest in the expanded 2025 event. SPECIAL VISITS AND WORKSHOPS Professional referee Mr Dion Willis offered invaluable insights into refereeing and the latest rule interpretations, benefiting players and coaches alike. Additionally, renowned high-performance coach Mr Tom Dawson-Squibb conducted an impactful workshop for our coaching staff, focusing on unlocking peak performance in teams and individuals. ANNUAL CELEBRATION DINNER The season culminated in the annual water polo dinner, attended by more than 140 guests. Luke Davidson, the club captain, delivered an excellent review of the year. This was followed by a heartfelt speech by guest speaker (and parent) Mr Brett Davidson (OM 1990), whose address eloquently highlighted the brotherhood and “home away from home” ethos of Michaelhouse, as well as the unique opportunities it offers its boys. INTERHOUSE WATER POLO The season concluded with the highly anticipated Interhouse Water Polo Tournament, featuring more than 180 participants. The final, contested between Farfield and Pascoe, saw Farfield crowned the 2024 champions in a one-sided finale. COACHING AND LEADERSHIP This year saw changes in our coaching team, with farewells to Mr McManus, Mr Max Becker and Mr Gerry Noel. We welcomed Mr Graeme Lucas-Bull, who has already made a significant impact on both players and staff. As this chapter draws to a close, we celebrate the unwavering dedication and remarkable spirit of our staff and players. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in driving Michaelhouse water polo to greater heights, setting the stage for continued success in the years to come. THE INAUGURAL U15 TOURNAMENT – THE SNOW CUP

MICHAELHOUSE TEAM RESULTS

TEAM

P

W

L

D

GD

1ST

48

20

26

2

44

2ND

29

21

7

1

74

3RD

13

10

2

1

81

4TH

12

6

3

3

63

126