13 Players to Watch at the Girls SA Schools Water Polo Tournament

Member of the SA U18 girls team that went to compete at the FINA World Womens Youth Water Polo Champs in Spain this year. Nicole James is a big asset for whatever team she plays for, consistently selected for tournament teams, most recently the All-Star team at the St Stithians Water Polo Invitational. The shot stopper is a wall protecting her teams goal.

Nicole Shuman

Province	Western Province
School	Westerford High School
Major Teams	Western Province U16A & U19A (2013,2014), SA U18 (2014)

With Incredible reflexes, Nicole is one of the best goal keepers at youth level in South Africa. Awarded the best goal keeper at the 2014 National Co-Ed Water polo Tournament. Her talents were recognized as she was selected for the SA girls U18 team that went to Spain for the FINA World Womens Youth Water Polo Champs.

Ruby Versveld

Team	Western Province
School	Westerford High School
Major Teams	Western Province U16A,& U19 (2013,2014), SA U18 (2014)

Awarded the best forward at the 2014 Co-Ed National Water Polo Tournament, Ruby is a nightmare for defenders. She scored an incredible 42 goals at the Reddam U19 Girls Water Polo Tournament. Quick and powerful, she will look to add to her goal tally for the year. She was also part of the SA U18 Girls team that competed at the FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships 2014.

Cara Stubbs

Team	Western Province
School	Reddam House
Major Teams	Western Province U15A,U16A &U19A,SA U18 (2014)

A very talented water polo player from Cape Town. Cara consistently makes the tournament team in the tournaments she participates in. She was tied 2nd top scorer at the Reddam Girls U19 Water Polo tournament. Very comfortable in the water, Cara is also not a bad surfer.

Caitlin Shreuder

Team	Western Province
School	Westerford High School
Major Teams	Western Province U16A, U19A (2013,2014), SA U18 (2014)

12 goals at the Reddam U19 Water Polo tournament put Caitlin 8th in the top scorers. The dynamic forward is one of the best when it comes to attacking the opposition goal post. Caitlin's speed in the water makes her a valuable asset for any team she plays for.

Jenna Crawford

Team	Western Province
School	Reddam House
Major Teams	Western Province U16A, U19A (2013,2014), SA U18 (2014)

This is Jenna's 2nd year playing for the WP U19 girls at the SA Schools Water Polo Tournament. Providing her team with width in the pool, she also adds her fair share of goals.

Georgia Moir

Team	Western Province
School	Springfield Convent School
Major Teams	Western Province U15A, U16A, U19A, SA U18A (Non-Traveling Reserve)

Georgia hails from Springfield Convent School in Cape Town, Georgia is versatile in any position and is very strong on attack. Georgia shows a great understanding for the game, although she didn’t make it to this years SA U18 team she has improved a lot in the last year and SA U18 Women's Coach Bevan Manson says she is a real contender for next seasons SA U18 team.

Amy Hare

Team	Western Province
School	Springfield Convent School
Major teams	Western Province U16,U19 (2013,2014),SA U18 (Non-Traveling reserve)

Playing in her second U19 SA Schools Water Polo Tournament, the vice Captain of the Springfield 1st team is a handful in the pool. Solid in defence, Hare provides the necessary platform for her team to go on the attack.

Asanda Lajila

Team	KwaZulu Natal
School	Durban Girls College
Major Teams	KwaZulu Natal U19 (2013,2014), SA U18 (2014)

Asanda Lajila from Durban Girls College will be one to watch for KZN at the SA Schools water polo tournament. Asanda is a good attacking player, and a quality shooter and scorer. Asanda has represented SA U18 in both the FINA World’s Womens Youth Water Polo Champs.

Laura Newton

Team	Eastern Province
School	Pearson High School
Major teams	Eastern Province U19A (2013,2014), SA U18 (Non-Traveling Reserve)

Laura from Pearson High School will be representing Eastern Province at this years SA School water polo tournament. Laura is a physical player who’s strong in both the centre forward and centre back positions.

Nina Cressey

Team	Border
School	Stirling High School
Major teams	SA U18 (2014), SA U18, U19 & U20 (2013) SA Ladies (2014) (Non-Traveling Reserve)

Nina Cressey is a highly decorated and highly experienced player who has acheived success through representing her country from the U18 level through to the SA ladies senior team. Nina Cressey is one to watch for the future. Cressey will represent Border in this year's SA School water polo tournament and is a strong centre forward with a great back shot. Nina is considered one of the best polo players in the country in her age group.

Tayla Louw

Team	Border
School	Stirling High School
Major Teams	Border U15A,U19A (2013,2014),SA U18 (2014)

The player from Stirling High School will be representing Border at the upcoming SA Schools water polo tournament. Tayla is a very strong CB, a good defender who provides good accurate shots on attack. Tayla is a hardworker in the pool and trains hard at practice sessions. Tayla has represented SA in the 1st and 2nd FINA World Womens Youth Water Polo Champs in 2013 and 2014 respectively

Amber Penney

Team	Central Gauteng
School	St Marys Waverley
Major Teams	Central Gauteng U15A, U16A, U19A, SA U18 (2014)

Amber Penny is still in grade 11 this year but has earned her place in the team as a good all rounder. Amber is very strong on defense and makes it hard for opponents to get into the 2-meter line. Penny is one of the better shooters of the team and this was her first year representing her country at the FINA World’s Women's Youth Water Polo Champs.

Emma Hardman

Team	Central Gauteng
School	St Mary's Waverley
Major Teams	Central Gauteng U15A, U19A (2013,2014), SA U18 (2013,2014)

Emma Hardman from St Mary’s Waverley donned the green and gold for her 2nd year now as she competed in both the FINA World’s Womens Youth Water Polo Champs. Emma represents Central Gauteng and is a strong attacker who plays on the left side of the pool. Hardman is a good shooter and a quality finisher.

YSN thanks SA U18 womens water polo Coach Bevan Manson for chatting to us about his players.

Follow Bevan Manson on twitter @BigTree5

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