Author: waterpolo4change

South African Water Polo Launches New Governance Era

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – March 12, 2025 – In a pivotal move to revitalize water polo, South Africa Water Polo NPC (SA Water Polo) has been established to promote growth and inclusivity within the sport. This new not-for-profit entity signifies a shift towards robust governance, moving away from previous challenges under Swimming South Africa. Aligned with national transformation goals, SA Water Polo is dedicated to making the sport more diverse and representative, powered by a governance board of experienced professionals and an interim executive committee.

As SA Water Polo takes the reins, key initiatives include streamlined player, coach, and referee registrations through Revolutionise Sport, the development of elite training camps, and the organization of competitive events to enhance player skills. This evolution represents a concerted effort by the sport’s true custodians to prioritize community needs and ensure a sustainable, independent future. All stakeholders are encouraged to register and contribute to shaping the next chapter of South African water polo. For participation details and more information, contact Robbie Taylor, Interim CEO, at info@sawaterpolo.co.za.

South Africa Water Polo NPC (SAWP) is thrilled to announce the initiation of a transformative phase for water polo in South Africa. With overwhelming community support and a commitment from regional chairs and masters, we are excited to advance water polo through a new, non-profit entity. SAWP is founded on principles of good governance and international best practices, aimed at restoring the sport’s integrity and reputation.

The interim leadership group, comprising seasoned professionals with strong sporting credentials, is setting the foundation for robust national governance. As we prepare for our first AGM, your participation is crucial. Join us by registering on our online platform, Revolutionise Sport, as players, coaches, clubs, or referees.

Our focus extends to preparing athletes for world-class competition through high-performance training, nationwide tournaments, and international tours. This evolution is not a breakaway but a movement towards an autonomous future for our sport, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and minimal external interference.

We invite the water polo community to support this exciting journey towards making South African water polo a thriving, independent sport on the global stage.

For more details or to get involved, visit our website or contact us at info@sawaterpolo.co.za.

Yours in sport, Robbie Taylor Interim CEO, South African Water Polo NPC

In the case filed at the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg), artistic swimmers Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill have initiated legal action against Swimming South Africa (SSA) and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). The summons, electronically filed on September 19, 2024, outlines the swimmers’ grievances against the sporting bodies. The plaintiffs are seeking legal recourse for what they perceive as unfair treatment during a disciplinary process that compromised their chances of competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The summons reflects the athletes’ dissatisfaction with SSA’s handling of the situation, particularly their withdrawal from key Olympic qualifiers without due process. The swimmers are claiming damages for the financial, emotional, and reputational harm caused by SSA’s actions, and are appealing for justice to restore their rights and opportunities as athletes competing at an international level.

The document details an appeal process initiated by two South African artistic swimmers, Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill, against Swimming South Africa (SSA). They were subject to a disciplinary action without proper notice or sufficient evidence while competing at the 2023 World Championships in Doha. The swimmers were summoned to a disciplinary hearing with minimal notice, accused of “deceitful actioning of training protocol without management approval.” Despite contesting the charges and raising concerns about the fairness of the process, they were withdrawn from competition and sent home. The appeal judgment found the disciplinary process procedurally and substantively unfair, ruling in favor of the swimmers.

The appeal also highlighted that SSA failed to provide adequate reasons for the sanctions and disregarded proper procedures for handling disciplinary matters. The rushed nature of the hearing, vague charges, and lack of opportunity for the swimmers to present their case resulted in the decision being overturned. The swimmers are seeking compensation for emotional distress, financial losses, and damage to their reputations, as the flawed process jeopardized their chances to compete in future competitions, including the Paris Olympics.

Two South African athletes, Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill, are suing Swimming South Africa (SSA) for R7.2 million after a flawed disciplinary process prevented them from competing in the Paris Olympic qualifiers. The swimmers were sent home before competing at the 2023 World Championships in Doha, following a last-minute and poorly detailed disciplinary hearing conducted without their presence. Although they later won an appeal overturning the decision due to the unfair disciplinary process, they claim the premature exit from Doha caused them emotional and financial damage, including the loss of potential sponsorships for future competitions and the 2028 Olympics.

Source – https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/sport/2024-09-22-swimmers-sue-federation-for-killing-olympic-dream/

See previous entry with the reply from S.L. ADRIAANSE Chief Executive SWIMMING SOUTH AFRICA for context on the below

On 23 August 2024, Swimming South Africa (SSA) responded to concerns raised by Mr. Kemp regarding the eligibility of certain nominees for the SSA Executive Committee. In their response, SSA Chief Executive S.L. Adriaanse stated that Becker Kemp Solicitors & Attorneys are not recognized as a capitated member of SSA. This response was seen as an attempt to question Mr. Kemp’s standing in raising these concerns, focusing on procedural aspects rather than addressing the substantive issue of ineligible nominations for the upcoming elections.

This reply did not engage with the primary concerns about the legitimacy of the nominations, suggesting a reluctance to tackle the issues directly. As a result, Mr. Kemp has appealed directly to the Affiliate Presidents to ensure that these critical concerns are addressed at the Quadrennial Annual General Meeting on 25 August 2024.

Letter below

We recently reached out to Swimming South Africa (SSA) with an urgent request to reassess the eligibility of certain nominations for the SSA Executive Committee ahead of the upcoming Quadrennial AGM. Today, we received a response from S.L. Adriaanse, the Chief Executive of Swimming South Africa, addressing our concerns.

Below is an extract from the email correspondence:

“Dear Mr Kemp

We take note of your correspondence as attached.  Kindly note that after verification we can confirm that Becker Kemp Solicitors & Attorneys are not capitated as a member of Swimming South Africa.

Yours Sincerely

S.L. ADRIAANSE
Chief Executive
SWIMMING SOUTH AFRICA”

Extract of mail thread below:

A legal challenge has been issued to Swimming South Africa (SSA) concerning the upcoming Quadrennial Annual General Meeting (QAGM) scheduled for August 25, 2024. The challenge highlights the inclusion of four ineligible nominees on the list for the Executive Committee, citing a breach of SSA’s Constitution, which limits members to three consecutive terms. The letter demands the immediate removal of these nominees to avoid potential legal action and ensure compliance with governance best practices.

Letter to SSA – QGM – 20 Aug 2024

Annexure A – SSA Letter – 11 August 2024

The more things change, the more they stay the same!!

It may be the SSA Franschoek High Performance Centre (FHPC) but the project seems to have ground to a halt. Could it be that train.camp are the fly in the ointment?

Their post this week “We know many of you followed us for our work and project in Franschhoek and soon that story will be told in great detail in multiple platforms.

Our country is special and we love it – but excellence is at the centre of what we who created Train Camp stand for and we are blessed that it has found us and we are back in the saddle with unlimited markets and opportunities. Never Defeated. James 3:14-16”

Questions we will now send to Adriaanse, Fritz, (copy Ramsamy as we hear he was involved) and the Affiliate Presidents:

1. The “investment proposal” – given capex/opex involved (there must be one).

2. What executive oversight was implemented, and who was involved in making this decision, when and how was it debated? Minutes of said meetings!

3. Why Franschhoek? Wouldn’t this capex have been better spent upgrading existing facilities at UWC or the Newlands Pool? Was this considered?

4. What will the final cost of the project be? what is SSA’s/our exposure?

5. When will the project be completed (it seems to have ground to a halt)?

6. Who will be able to use the FHPC and under what conditions?

7. How will South African athletes benefit from this investment?

8. Who owns what, who has control and how is this deal structured/financed?

9. Is this a SSA project or Train.Camp?

Also, give WaterPolo4Change the mandate to interact with SSA on your behalf. Please complete this form, like and share if you care!