#TuksWaterPolo: Things are starting to happen at TuksWaterPolo

Posted on March 25, 2019

The TuksWaterPolo women’s team seems to be definitely on the up judging by the results of the recent Currie Cup Tournament played in Johannesburg.

 

Tuks finished 5th overall having won three of the six games they played and drawing one. The two teams Tuks lost against went on to contest the women’s final with Cape Town’s Water Warriors outplaying Maties to take the title.

 

Palesa Hlela (Tuks captain) gets quite excited when talking about their performance.

 

“We really managed to hold our own against both Maties and the Water Warriors only losing by two and four goals respectively. It is not bad considering that Tuks has been restructuring.  We just came together as a team four weeks ago under a new coach.

 

“What is exciting is that Tuks is one of the fastest growing clubs in the country. We currently got about 30 female student players which bode well for the leagues we are still going to compete in as well the end of the year USSA Tournament. I honestly believe that in four to five years from now Tuks can be one of South Africa’s leading clubs.”

 

Last year Hlela represented South Africa at the European Nations Water Polo Cup Tournament in the Czech Republic as well as the Fina World Cup in Russia. This certainly took its toll and not only because of what happened in the water. Being selected to play for South Africa can mean that the amount of zero’s in your own as well as one’s parent’s bank accounts can be quite significantly reduced.

 

Not that Hlela is complaining. Water polo is her absolute passion; however, she used to be also quite an avid basketball player as well representing Tuks for two years.

 

“I loved playing basketball, but with the risk of a serious injury becoming a reality I was forced to make a choice. It was not easy. To be honest, quite a few tears flowed before I made my decision. I chose water polo as I felt I was slightly better at it.”

 

It is rumoured that things can get rough during a water polo game. Hlela is not denying it.

 

“Water polo is certainly a physically taxing sport. There is often a lot of pulling, pushing and dunking which often results in bruises and scratches and at a worst case scenario concussion. It could be considered to be unsportsmanlike, but I guess in the intensity of the moment these things happen without there being real malice. The risk of injury is merely an occupational hazard when playing water polo."

 

The worst that has happened to Hlela was when she was not playing goalkeeper in a mixed game. At some stage, she got grabbed by the back of her costume by a male player and then pushed down to the bottom of the pool. She admits to having experienced a few nervous seconds. Playing at goalkeeper, the worst that has happened to her was being hit with the ball on the head.

 

According to Hlela fitness is of cardinal importance as during a game as there is no holding on to the side of the pool and one's feet are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool.

 

“I won’t lie you won’t survive a game if you are not fit. While playing, you are either putting in a sprint on the attack or the defence and if not actively being involved in the play you are treading water. Water polo requires great leg and upper body strength as well as a solid core.”

 

The TuksWaterPolo men’s side finished 7th at the Currie Cup Tournament.

 

 

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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