The TuksWaterpolo women’s team is diving into the upcoming USSA Water Polo Championships in East London with determination and a point to prove. Having finished as runners-up for four consecutive years, each loss to Maties in the finals, the team is motivated to turn silver into gold.

Team captain Maxine Hannan recalls the pride of their first silver medal after placing second the previous year. Now, they’re ready to go all the way and find their Midas Touch in the pool.

"But now we have won silver at USSA's for four years in a row. It is really getting irritating. Last year, we beat Maties in the pool game only to lose against them in the final. So I am hoping that this time around, we bring back the gold.

"Our goal now would be to focus on our own game. We must do what we are good at and keep our opponents from dictating the play. To do so boils down to executing the small things to perfection. If we do, we will be competitive."

Hannan, who is doing her master's in human physiology, has played in all four finals. Captaining Tuks in the last two. Every time she plays, only one thing matters: to get Tuks to win. Her heroics have not gone unnoticed. She is the official reserve for the South African women's team selected to play in the World Cup. Last year, she was a part of the South African beach water polo team, which won a bronze medal at the World Aquatics Water Polo Qualification Tournament in Egypt.

As a captain, Hannan prides herself on bringing positivity to the team.

"During a game, I would celebrate the things we do right. That rubs off on my teammates and motivates them to put their bodies even more on the line. I am also a good communicator, letting the players know what the coach expects. I certainly don't believe in micromanaging my teammates. Every player should take responsibility for what happens. I only try to assert myself during the pregame and postgame discussions."

Hannan reveals that Varsity College and Ikeys are the two teams who might cause an upset.

The Tuks women's team squad includes: Tia Caswell, Kelly Forde, Megan Foster, Lauren Fox, Max Hannan, Shakira January, Sinelithemba Mbatha, Ané Müller, Ashley Richardson, Ilse Southey, Jenna Tarr, Wendy-Mae Turner, and Jenna Weppelman.

The USSA Tournament will take place from 3-6 December.