The Chronicle 2022

Kearsney College Northwood School Invitation Team

Won Won Won Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Draw Won Lost Won Lost Draw

9 6

8 4 2 9 9

to top sides to remain competitive nationally. This was achieved through attendance at the Dallas Hutton and Indigo Tournaments in the first quarter, and the Wynberg and Top 10 Tournaments in the fourth quarter. Although this team’s maturity is still developing, the fact that five of these players were selected for the first team in the fourth quarter, is a good indicator of the group’s prodigious talent. With further maturity and guidance, it is anticipated that these players will all make an impact on Michaelhouse water polo in the future. The U14A team, under the guidance of Mr Justin McDougall and Mr Bradley McManus, surprised many with their exciting and fast-paced brand of water polo. This cohort of players bonded quickly and bought into the characteristics of hard work and doing the basics right from the onset. Every player committed to attending morning training, conditioning sessions in the High-Performance Centre and being coachable. The team went on to win all but one game in the first quarter as a result. This phenomenal training ethic continued in the fourth quarter, with many players completing extra training on their own accord. The team attended the Ken Short Festival in the first quarter as well as the Rondebosch, Hilton and Northwood Tournaments in the fourth quarter. All of these tours allowed this team to face the best teams and players in the country. The success of this team and group of players bodes well for the continued competitiveness of Michaelhouse water polo on a national level. The U14B and U15B teams were studiously mentored and coached by the experienced schoolmaster Mr Peter Stevens. While a number of players switched sports codes between quarters one and four, the competitiveness of these teams never subsided. Both of these teams would have been unbeaten were it not for having to play up an age group or against opposing team’s A sides on numerous occasions. Mr Stevens has ensured the fundamentals of these players are continually developed, whilst keeping training fun and organised. It is hoped many of these boys will one day represent the Michaelhouse first or second teams. The annual inter-House water polo took place on the last weekend of sport in the fourth quarter. A total of 22 matches were played by the ten Houses. On the day 150 learners participated. This was a busy and fun-filled afternoon, and a fitting end to a busy year for Michaelhouse water polo.

14

Clifton School

2

Glenwood High School

12

Clifton School

3 5 3 4 3 3 5 4 3 5 9

11

Westville Boys’ High School

7

St Stithians College

10

Bishops

8

St David’s Marist Inanda St Benedict’s College Pretoria Boys High School

10

3 4 5 2

Reddam House Constantia (Tokai)

St Albans College, Pretoria

Hilton College

11

Maritzburg College

9

The second team, coached by Mr Bradley McManus, did not achieve the performances that were expected of a talented group of players. The first quarter went well with the team winning more games than they lost. The team also attended the Logan Stanley Tournament, which was a valuable learning experience. The momentum of the first quarter did not continue into the fourth quarter, where sadly the team lost the majority of their fixtures. It must be noted that many of these losses were against first-team opposition, as many competitor schools could not match us team for team. It is pertinent to the future of Michaelhouse water polo that the second team provides more healthy competition to the first team. The third, fourth and fifth teams found regular match opportunities against teams of equal strength a rarity in 2022. Too often opposition schools could not match the depth of Michaelhouse teams, either resulting in no matches for these teams or these teams playing up against higher teams. This resulted in only six wins out of a collective twenty-two matches. Matches aside, the coaches created a fun and competitive training environment for these boys. Continued skill development and an increased number of matches are continued goals for these teams. The U15A team has had a good 2022 season, under the guidance of Mr Alex Deetlefs and Mr Gerry Noel. Continuing from a successful U14 season, it was important this team was exposed

INTER-HOUSE RESULTS: First: Pascoe Second: Farfield / Ralfe Third: East / Founders

99