Top-class water polo tourney anticipated

One of the most competitive Vides water polo tournaments in many years is on the cards when the popular annual event gets under way at Selborne College and Hudson Park High school on Friday.

A big field of 20 teams, up four from last year, will be in action and looking to impress over the three days of play.

Over the years the Vides has become one of the biggest schools tournaments in the country and continues to draw some of the top water polo schools.

“We have tried to invest a lot of money into making it one of the premier tournaments in the country,” organiser Mike Cousins said.

A stacked field will be battling it out, with local sides Selborne, Hudson and Stirling representing the city along with fellow Eastern Cape sides Pearson, Kingswood, St Andrew’s, Alexander Road and Grey.

From the Western Cape will be Reddam, Paul Roos and Glenwood House, while Crawford Lonehill, St Albans and Reddam House Helderfontein will represent the Gauteng regions.

Free State will have a lone representative in Grey College, while KwaZulu-Natal sides Durban High School, Glenwood, Northwood and Michaelhouse will also be coming down.

“Reddam and Paul Roos are probably in the top five in South Africa this year so it is great to have them taking part,” Cousins said.

“We have a number of national players who will be playing for the various teams, so this is really going to be a very enjoyable weekend.”

Over the past five years only two sides have shared the trophy, with hosts Selborne winning twice and St Andrew’s, who are defending champs, having won three titles.

They will be among the favourites, along with Paul Roos, Reddam and Grey High.

The action gets under way with the pool stages at 7am on Friday at both Selborne and Hudson, while the final will take place on Sunday at Selborne at 11am. –