As bad as the weather was for the golf day held on 1 September, so good was it for the action polo fundraiser held at the SACS pool on Saturday, 17 September in support of the planned tour to Hungary by a SACS water polo squad in January 2012. 

Ten mixed teams of boys and girls from schools in the Western Province, comprising ten players each, took part in a round robin of six-a-side water polo in glorious spring weather.  Each team had to field at least one girl at any time.  The competition offered teams with names such as “Cavemen”, “Terminators”, “Mighty Mice”, “Turtle Power” and “Trojans” the opportunity to compete at a cup and plate level.  A festival atmosphere prevailed from 8.30am to 5pm, with bacon and egg rolls in the morning and the smell of burgers accompanied by hot and cold refreshments and scrumptious goodies from the tuck shop.  The water polo competed a little with the rugby on the big screen in the adjoining Brodie Room, but the success of the Bokke added to the enthusiasm and spirit being displayed in the pool.

In the final match of a hard day of very competitive polo the “Cavemen” defeated the “Bomb Squad” to lift the cup, while the “Trojans” prevailed over the “Terminators” in the plate section of the competition.  Tied top goal scorers in the tournament were Connor Phillips and Shane Fourie. Shane was also player of the finals.  Connor won a Vodafone Webbox and Shane an Imazine Sports Watch.

A novelty event was a penalty shootout at lunchtime.  Players paid to challenge the Western Province men’s keeper, Milton Caldis, and after two rounds Byron Allsopp (a SACS U15 player) ended up the winner.  A bevy of stars from the men’s and woman’s SA team together with some international U21 players showed off their skills in an exhibition match, much to the thrill of all the players and spectators.

“We have been really lucky with the weather this time,” said John Chapman, chair person of the Hungary tour committee.  “Today’s event has raised a substantial amount.  This will help make the tour more affordable and a very big thank you must go to all our sponsors (listed elsewhere on this site) for their generous support.  I also want to thank Karen van Huyssteen and her committee who all worked tirelessly to make it happen.”

Parents and supporters turned out in numbers to make it a really festive and memorable occasion.  Raffles for adults and children offered several prizes.  The main prize in the junior raffle was a Blackberry phone, donated by Selldirect, which was won by  Keegan Wheeler.  The adult’s raffle offered a main prize of a luxurious weekend away at Elandskloof Farm Cottages, and this was won by Liz Sherrington.  Several spot prizes were also handed out during the course of the day, which added to the excitement.

“This has been an awesome day and it would be great if it could become a regular fixture on our water polo calendar,” said Devon Card, the SACS water polo coach who will accompany the boys overseas.

The final frundraising event planned for the Hungary tour is a gala evening at the V&A Waterfront on 29 October, where some amazing items will be auctioned.  Check this site for details.

                                                        The tour group gratefully thanks the following, who made donations to prizes, meals and goody bags:


                    P2/Nutriboost                                                         Flexfit                                              Turbo SA                                                                            Imazine

                   Ackermans                                                   Arniston Bay Wines                                   Babamanzi                                                                        Beacon                     

           Cupcakes by Design                                               Deanos                                                Elizabeth Arden                                                    Elandskloof Farm Cottages          

         Front Page Hair Salon                                          Highbury Safika                                        Landrover                                                           Lesley Murray Interior Design       

            Max Mouthguards                                             Mont Blanc Games                                      Mr Lacy                                                                              Parmalat                   

      Peninsula Beverages                                              Ratanga Junction                                Sanctuary Spa                                                                      SellDirect      

    Sports Science Institute                                                   Spur                                                         TYR                                                                                 Vodacom

                                                                                              Waltons                                                  100 Plus