GSWP 30 – Pre-season Training

To all interested parties

I have received a letter that expresses concern regarding our early trials and pre season practices which I would like to adress in general.

The answer, to the letters quite possibly valid comment, is very simple... ambition. The departure of how we normally do things is a much discussed and planned change of approach after our results in 2007, which I feel has some scope for improvement.

Last year, the provincial body’s focus was on getting the organization in place for us to run effective trials and provincial fixtures. In preparing for SA Schools my inexperience as chairperson counted against good results and I feel we left things way too late. I was new and had no idea what to prepare for at the actual tournament or what to expect...this year I have decided that the key result area should be on team performance and results. It is after all what we go down to the competition for, how we appoint the coaches, and how our players- parents and opposition will judge us.

According to Vince Lombardi the harder you work at anything, the harder it is to give up. I am hoping that in the pool or on the side of the pool we will avoid allowing SA Schools to lapse into nothing more than an excuse to party. This counts for coaches as well as players.

The Provincial squad and eventually the final selected teams will almost from the first week of trials practice for 9 months out of the 12 for at least one hour every Sunday. The initial phase of this performance enhancement strategy will be in the form of normal weekly practice, for which I have provisionally made time at Randpark’s heated pool. (Coaches who have access to other heated pools may change the venue to the pool of their choice) In mid September senior teams will play as a club in the highly competitive environment of the premier league for the U16 and U19.

Any player/coach who that feels that he cannot meet the requirements will probably not be what we are interested in to build the new South African water polo powerhouse in Gauteng. The trials are also 3 weeks away which gives the players enough time to get fit. In addition the players were informed that the trials would be around this time and unfitness is frankly a weak excuse. Early trial also allow parents to budget for the tour fees.

We have gone to great lengths to appoint some of the strongest coaching staff ever. I have complete faith in the coaches to prepare players to a highly competitive and cohesive team that will be a force to reckon with at the tournament.

I trust I have your support in the new, more competitive approach.

Yours in polo

Marius Buys
Chairperson
16 May 2008