Four teenagers from a farm in Stellenbosch will represent South Africa at the Canoe Polo Junior International Championships in Ireland, in July. This is according to prof Susan Feitz, lecturer at Stellenbosch University (SU), and coach of the team.
Coach Susan Feitz, Dale Pretorius, Romano Lackay, Camurin Abrahams and Keeshia Lackay (pictured above on the left) will be flying to Ireland to represent South Africa at the Canoe Polo Junior International Championships in July. This is according to prof Susan Feitz, lecturer at Stellenbosch University, and coach of the team. PHOTO: Jess Holing
These players received a gold medal at the South African Championships in March, said Feitz. Their goal was never the World Championships, she added. “It just happened. They just became so good and we got this opportunity […] I don’t think what it actually means has sunk in yet,” she said in April.
“I’m excited to go over the sea!” said Camurin Abrahams, who was about eight years old when he started canoe polo. Abrahams (18) and his team mates, Dale Pretorius (17), and Romano and Keeshia Lackay (13 and 16), are all from the Goedvertrouw farm. The teenagers said that they are excited to meet other players overseas and test their skills against them.
“It’s an important sport to me… It keeps you fit, and it keeps you out of trouble,” said 18-year-old Camurin Abrahams, pictured on the banks next to the Stellenbosch dam, used for canoe polo training sessions. PHOTO: Jess Holing
Practise makes perfect
Children from the Stellenbosch Canoe Club come together three times a week to practice the sport, said Feitz. It resembles water polo on kayaks and is usually played in teams of five, according to Feitz.
The children have a strong sense of community and teamwork, she said. “The big ones always help the small ones – they’re very proud of them,” she said.
“There’s been a real effort throughout South African (SA) canoe polo over the past three or four years to try and grow the sport. Numbers at SA champs have nearly doubled,” said Josh Smith, a Stellenbosch University student, canoe polo player and coach. Romano Lackay (pictured above to the left) and his teammates said that they are excited to play against new teams overseas. Winter training for the canoe polo players can be challenging as they do not go back to heated homes after practice, explained prof Susan Feitz, lecturer at Stellenbosch University, and coach of the team. PHOTO: Jess Holing
Achieving greatness
The team said that no matter where you live, you can achieve great things if you believe in yourself. “It’s pretty inspiring to see kids going from not having kits to being earmarked to be the future of our sport and hopefully our men’s world championship players,” said Josh Smith, SU student, canoe polo player and coach.
The overseas travel, accommodation and food costs for the tournament will be covered by Canoeing South Africa, according to Feitz.
Relying on Canoeing South Africa and private donors can be a challenge for canoe polo players, said Susan Feitz, coach of the team. However, the overseas travel, accommodation, and food costs for the four teenagers to attend the Canoe Polo Junior International Championships have been covered by Canoeing South Africa, she said. PHOTO: Jess Holing