Strategic Shift in Water Polo Management: Swimming SA Forms Independent Committee

In a pivotal response to growing internal demands for a more autonomous water polo governance in South Africa, Swimming South Africa (SSA) has set up an independent committee dedicated specifically to the sport. Official operations are slated to begin on January 1, 2025. This initiative is seen as a direct counter to a dissident fraction's efforts to separate from the SSA.

The structure of the new committee has begun to take shape with the appointment of a director of coaching, technical director, and high-performance coaches. A candidate for CEO has been canvassing the water polo community to outline the benefits and potential of this new governance structure but has yet to formally accept the position.

The push for independence came into the spotlight following discontent about how water polo has been administered under the SSA’s broad umbrella, which also covers disciplines like diving and artistic swimming. This was catalyzed by concerns shared in town hall meetings across Cape Town and Johannesburg, where the independence from SSA was massively supported by constituents.

However, despite the calls for independence, the formation of the committee under the auspices of SSA ensures that South African water polo remains under the umbrella recognized by World Aquatics. This is a critical element as World Aquatics, the global governing body for swimming and related sports, only recognizes one national federation per country. This recognition is essential for the participation in international events and maintaining global standards.

Steven la Marque, offered the role of water polo director of coaching for the new committee, emphasized that the initiative is not about isolating water polo but optimizing its management within the existing structures. La Marque, with significant experience including a previous six-year stint as water polo’s director of coaching up to the Tokyo Olympic Games, is expected to officially accept his new role soon.

SSA's decision to establish this independent committee itself, rather than having it elected by the water polo constituency, has sparked concerns regarding its true independence. Nonetheless, the structure promises a more focused governance on water polo without the cumbersome process of seeking new recognition from international bodies.

Alan Fritz, President of SSA, highlighted that this move is about enhancing the sport's management while keeping it within the broader framework of SSA, which would still handle significant responsibilities like international tours and tournaments. This could potentially set a precedent for other aquatic disciplines seeking similar arrangements for governance.

As the new committee prepares to formally begin its operations in 2025, the South African water polo community anticipates a structured approach that could rejuvenate the sport nationally from social to elite levels. This development holds promise not only for water polo but could also influence how other sports within the aquatic discipline approach governance and autonomy in South Africa.