Bishops Boys Gain Valuable International Water Polo Experience

The holiday period has provided Bishops water polo players with exceptional exposure to the international game, competing and training alongside some of the world’s best young athletes.

Bishops was very proudly represented by Michael Mafunda, who captained the South African team, and Tim Young, who served as vice-captain at the World Aquatics Men's U18 Championships in Rio Maior, Portugal.  The worlds top 20 junior nation teams teams competed. Tim was also named Player of the Match in the victory over Portugal. 

Five Bishops boys were also selected from more than 300 players nationwide to represent Elevate Water Polo at the Barcelona International Water Polo Academy

• Jamie Thomason and Andrew Sonqishe – U16A
• Troy Webb ,James Dimitri-Kark – Co-Captains- and Oliver Muller -U16B
  
  

Following an intensive training camp, the boys competed against leading international opposition and took part in scrimmages against the New Zealand and Canadian U18 teams. The Elevate U16A side secured a bronze medal, while the U16B team finished sixth in the U18 competition.

Meanwhile, 16 Bishops boys  accomapanied by Mr Firth and coaches Lwazi Madi and Jabulani Sibiya particpated in a training camp at the world renowned Jadran Water Polo Club in Herceg Novi,  Montenegro, widely regarded as one of the heartlands and technical innovators of world water polo. The tour provided invaluable learning opportunities through high-level tactical instruction, very demanding training sessions and matches against exceptionally talented local club opposition. Beside the water polo the boys made the most of the holidal bliss on the sun snogged coast, magnificent boat and bus outings while embracing the old world Montenegran Culture. 

These international experiences offer our players an extraordinary benchmark for excellence and invaluable lessons for their water polo development but also for the benefit of our won programme.