Crawford International Lonehill hosts successful Girls Water Polo tournament

The thrill of competition, the agony of defeat, and the joy of victory – all these emotions and more were on full display at the recent U15 Girls National Water Polo Tournament, hosted by Crawford International Lonehill.

For four action-packed days, 24 schools and 320 talented young athletes from across South Africa converged on the college’s campus, eager to showcase their skills and compete against the best of the best.

As one of the premier water polo tournaments for girls in the country, this event has become a highlight on the school sports calendar. This year’s edition did not disappoint, with thrilling matches, outstanding individual performances, and a nail-biting final that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

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But the tournament was more than just winning and losing; it’s also about building camaraderie, developing teamwork skills, and fostering a lifelong love of the sport, according to the head of sport of the school, Kelsey Thomson..

In a closely contested final, Reddam Constantia, from Cape Town, emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Clarendon Girls High, from East London, with a score of 8–6.

“The Crawford team, comprised of exceptionally young players, participated in the tournament to gain valuable exposure and experience. Over the course of the event, they learned from more seasoned teams, and are eager to build on their skills in the coming years,” said Thomson.

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Thomson said another standout team was Glenwood House, from George, part of the ADvTECH group of schools, which demonstrated tremendous promise throughout the tournament.

“They are certainly a team to watch in the seasons ahead. This exciting tournament is about more than just competition. At this level, it is also about having fun, discovering emerging talent, and fostering lifelong friendships. Crawford International Lonehill looks forward to welcoming all participating schools back to their campus in 2026 for another incredible tournament.”

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Awards were also presented to recognize outstanding individual performances. These were the results.

• Best Goalkeeper: Noella Carlin (St Peters College).
• Best Defender: Eva Hacking (Reddam Constantia).
• Best Attacker: Kate van Bilkon (Clarendon Girls High).

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