Face off or swim off at water polo club
Greg believes that primary school learners should be taught how to play the game.
Nurturing the talent and passion that children have for water polo is the mission of Greg Thomas.
He is the head water polo coach at Amanzimtoti High School and has formed a club that allows the youth to develop their skills. Greg, who is incredibly determined to ensure that children succeed, has offered to coach them. A game of water polo mainly consists of the players swimming, treading water, passing the ball, and shooting at the goal. Teamwork, tactical thinking and awareness are also highly important aspects in a game of water polo. Water polo is a highly physical and demanding sport and has frequently been cited as one of the most difficult sports to play. Greg, however, believes that primary school learners should be taught how to play the game. This is an initiative he formed with Amanzimtoti High and Aqua Lifestyle Centre. After witnessing a group of children in a ‘learn to swim’ programme at Aqua, Greg was inspired to teach the sport to younger children.
“If these children could learn to swim and learn how to play with toys in the pool, then they could learn how to play water polo. In Amanzimtoti, water polo is not introduced in primary schools. My mission is to have these learners educated on water polo, so when they reach high school they already know how the game works.”
Two clubs have been formed, the Mini Mantas and Mantas for junior and senior players.
“We have a few children in Grade 1, but all of the players have performed brilliantly so far. I am determined to ensure that each child succeeds. This has always been a dream of mine.”
Greg, who is also an incredible water polo player, and has played men’s provincial polo for 10 years and South Africa League Polo for four years. He thanks Amanzimtoti High for its sponsorship of goalposts, EDS powder coating and Aqua Lifestyle Centre for affording him the opportunity to use its heated pool.
For more information, call 082-455-5007.
ALSO READ: Toti waterpolo ace makes SA U16 team
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
