Welties teen ready to dominate sport’s championship in Ireland
"I have been playing canoe polo for a little more than a year and have been selected to represent the sport at the highest level."
Etienne Pieterse, 16, has been selected to represent the South African Canoe Polo Federation as part of the U18 A team in the Junior International Championship in Belfast, Ireland from July 27 to 30.
Canoe Polo, also known as kayak polo, is a competitive kayaking discipline. The sport is also referred to as “polo” by its participants and supporters. On the pitch, each team has five players competing to score in their opponent’s goal, which is suspended two metres above the water.
Etienne heard about Canoe Polo during a school assembly in 2022 where somebody told the learners about canoe polo.
“I have always enjoyed water polo, so I decided to give canoe polo a try and was hooked immediately after attending the open day at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club,” he elaborated.
“My favourite part of Canoe Polo would be attacking players that are better than me and beating them and shooting at the goals. My role on attack would be fat-boy, where we attack and I have to cause chaos in the defense, while the other players try to find a way to score,” Etienne explained, “On defense, I would be goalie or top. The top is where you row in front of the people that are trying to attack us so they have less speed in the attack.”
Etienne explained that he was a quick study and learned the ways of canoe polo in about a month or two, “I could roll after my first lesson.”
Etienne is proud of how much he has achieved in the sport.
“I have been playing canoe polo for a little more than a year and have been selected to represent the sport at the highest level. I have previously played water polo and received a goalie of the tournament award at an interprovincial tournament,” he exclaimed.
When chatting about his tour to Ireland he exclaimed that he is ‘excited and looking forward to playing against other countries’.
When discussing his future in Canoe Polo, Etienne determinedly said that he would like to become a better player than his coach Niel Burger, ‘he is the best player I know’.
Furthermore, he exclaimed, “Qualifying for the World U21 championship would be epic, and I would love to get more international exposure in the sport.”
Etienne is devoted to his sport and would relish the opportunity to represent his team in the United Kingdom. An opportunity like this would provide him with an unforgettable experience, exposure, and memories that he will use to advance his career in sports.
The tour is entirely self-funded, and any funds raised will be distributed as follows:
Flights, Visa, Accommodation, Equipment, SA Canoe Polo regulation equipment (Rash Vests, PFD – Life Jackets), and the March Team Training Camp.
To donate towards Etienne’s Backabuddy fund, follow this link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/etienne-pieterse-5509038658662467577/
