South African Canoe Polo Championships 2016
This year the South African Canoe Polo Championships were held at Shongweni Dam in KZN. Gauteng sent the biggest ever representation to the Championships, sending 5 sides spread across the various divisions. For the first time in South African Canoe Polo history an U16/development division was catered for. Gauteng sent a side to participate in this division with 5 out of the 7 boys in the squad being only 11years old. This bodes well for the future of Gauteng Canoe Polo.
The Gauteng team not only made an impact on the water, but off it as well. A new emblem was used for the first time and the team members were easily visible and smart in their new apparel.
Gauteng Men’s Team
The Men’s division final was a hotly contested affair with Gauteng ending up as Championship runners up to KZN after beating them and drawing to them in the round robin phase of the competition.
Team members: Chris de Bree, Divan Barnard, Kevin Rodrigues, Nick Weeks, David Rodrigues and Greg Hoets.
Gauteng U21 Ladies Team
In the Ladies division of the competition, Gauteng’s U21 ladies finished runners up, but were crowned Champions in their age group beating KZN U21 to the title.
Girls U21 Team members: Chiranda Pretorius, Bronwyn Goode, Candice Austin, Bronwyn Van der Berg, Tammy Van der Berg, Kayleigh Karam, Savannah Stopford and Dani Da Silva Afonso. Coach: Kevin Rodrigues
Gauteng U21 Men’s Team
Gauteng entered two teams into the U21 Men’s division. The Gauteng A team were crowned Champions in this division, while the Gauteng B team finished third.
Gauteng A team members: Ben Louw, Ruhan Marx, Jarryd Buchler, NielBurger, Jaco Burger, Matthew Eckhart. Coach: Chris de Bree
Gauteng B team members: Luca Govetto, Kyle van Dyk, Ivan Kahl, Luke Hoets, Michael Smith, Tyron Erasmus, Coban-Dean Suttie. Coach: Greg Hoets
Gauteng U16 Team
Gauteng are determined to grow the sport in the province under the guidance and leadership of Chris de Bree. An extremely young squad represented Gauteng in the U16/development division of the competition. Although playing against much bigger and physically stronger paddlers, the team managed a respectable 3rd place finish.
U16 Team members: Gabriel Rowe, Alex Webster, Kyle Laxton, XanderCoetzer, Luke Barrable, StoanKrynauw, Devon Lacy. Coach: Chris de Bree.
Looking ahead
The Durban International will be taking place in June 2016. Details for this event are still to be finalized.
The World Canoe Polo Championships will be held in Italy later this year. The National Team is currently trying to raise the funds to get the side to these Champs. However, with the economic climate the way it is at the moment, it is extremely difficult for the players to raise the necessary funds required.
Photos:
Bronwyn Goode (#2) in a tackle during the KZN game.
Matthew Eckhart (#8) in the Gauteng A vs Gauteng B game
Greg Hoets turning for the ball vs WP
Chris de Bree (Coach) gives a final team talk to the U16 team ahead of their opening game of the Championships.
Devon Lacy (#8) retrieves the ball in the opening U16 game vs KZN.
