Knysna teens pack for Ireland after rocking boat at canoe polo nationals
CXpress last week learnt of some amazing performances by Knysna players participating at the SA Canoe Polo Champs in Durban. Said Belen Sanchez of Magnetic South: “The kids are 16 and younger, but played in the under – 21 a league where the boys won an outstanding gold medal and the girls scored bronze.
“All the teens who participated in last weekends SA champs will be in the national team going to the canoe polo world champs in Ireland later this year – that’s eight Knysna kids representing SA on a world scale!”
Shongweni Dam was a hive of activity during South Africa’s largest-ever canoe polo championships on March 9 and 10.
The much-favoured KZN ladies appeared shocked by the strength of the Southern Cape rookies, whose oldest player is just 16 years of age. Showing a composure normally exhibited by vastly more experienced teams, the Knysna-based combination matched the physicality and astuteness of their coast opponents’ stroke for stroke, ball for ball.
It took the KZN women, fielding players who have represented the country in the national team at the world-champs level, the whole of normal time, plus 15 seconds of extra time, to find the winning goal.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Knysna girls were rewarded with a bronze U21 position and, catching the eyes of national team selectors, all gained places in the SA U18 team to represent the nation in Ireland later this year.
Congratulations to Tineke Cooper of York High, Jade das Fontes of Glen wood House, Carla Collins of Knysna Montessori, and Oakhill students Taya and Kyla Hanton for this incredible accomplishment.
The Western Cape U21 men, featuring three Knysna players, successfully defended their title as SA champs when beating KZN in the final of the same event. Joshua Smith and Jack Ligeti of Oakhill, and Aiden Carr of Knysna Montessori all notched high up in the individual seeding and will also be in the SA U18 team to play in Ireland.
With Knysna stars Daneel van Wyk and Corban Dean Suite unavailable. Nelson das Fontes was the only Knysna A player selected for the WP team this year. Highly rated as a goalkeeper, Das Fontes helped the WP team secure a bronze medal in the men’s open division.
Knysna’s amazing canoe-playing stars are now organising different fundraisers to enable their attendance of the world champs in Ireland, as no official funds are provided for. First up is the Zombie Run on March 22 and a Dragon Boat and Spitbraai evening with wine auction, as well as an amazing raffle with prizes to the value of R25,000 (vouchers from various Knysna businesses include Cafe Mario, Ocean Odyssey, Pezula Hotel, Featherbed Co., Dry-dock, Garden Route Animal Sanctuary, etc.).
To donate time or cash, call Tim on 071 683 4133 or Nina on 082 562 6810.