message from the headmaster
Welcome to the 41st Annual Water Polo Tournament
I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all participants, spectators, and supporters of this prestigious event. For decades, our school has had the honor of hosting this premier Water Polo Tournament.One of the key elements that make this tournament special is our state-of-the-art Mark Stevens Aquatics Centre. Regardless of weather conditions, we can ensure a seamless and uninterrupted event, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.The presence of esteemed schools participating in this tournament adds a layer of prestige to the weekend, and we are truly grateful for your participation.We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the individuals who have contributed to the success of this event. Special thanks go to:• King Edward VII School dedicated staff
• Eugene Marx, our esteemed Sports Director
• Andrew Ridley, Master in Charge of Water Polo
• Ms Derron van Eeden, the organizer of this event
• Mr Guy Pinker and all the referees
• Annè Badenhorst and our 1st Aid Team
We would also like to express our gratitude to our loyal and generous sponsors whose support has made this tournament possible. A big thank you to Standard Bank, Spur, Conti, and the unwavering support of Mrs. Anne Vilas of Opal Sport.To all participants and visitors, we hope you thoroughly enjoy your time with us. Let the games begin, and may the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie prevail throughout the tournament!David Lovatt
HEADMASTER
history
THE EDWARDIAN CUP
THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS WATER POLO TOURNAMENT CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
This prestigious event is held every year on the first weekend in March. In the early sixties there was little, or no “official” water polo played at the School. There was, however, a close connection between the School and the Old Edwardian Society Swimming and Water Polo Club. The Old Boys Club was formed in 1935 and for many years used the School pool as their headquarters. They
always entered a junior team in the Johannesburg leagues made up entirely of boys from the School. These boys who played in the Old Edwardian's junior teams used to organise games after school galas, much to the consternation of the swimming masters of the time, as “it spoiled their swimming styles”. Springboks such as Leon Nahon, Gary Bonney, Robbie Schwartz, Mike Renwick and Jake Kneebone learned their water polo while at School but playing for the Old Boys. The Society Swimming section has always promoted both junior swimming and junior water polo.
In the sixties it was normal for the club chairman, Roley Wright, to manage and swim in a junior league team on Friday nights, and then on Saturday afternoons collect and supervise the juniors for their league game, before proceeding to his own league games. The junior team was virtually the School team, and to improve the standard, Roley Wright introduced a Friday afternoon training session. The training session was soon expanded, and invitations were extended to other local schools to send teams down to Old Eds on Friday afternoons. As a result, matches started being organised. The Friday afternoons became very popular, although most schools could at that stage only field a single team. Some Springbok water polo players were asked to give their time to help with the coaching. Bill Otto, the then Springbok captain, and Jake Kneebone were amongst those that helped.
From the Friday afternoon games, the idea of a tournament was mooted, and the first tournament was held shortly thereafter at the Old Eds Pool. Roley Wright served as organiser, coach and referee.
The first tournament was a huge success and was won by King Edward. Because of the number of teams entered, the tournament took the whole day and it was obvious that another format was needed. This was done by dividing the tournament into A and B pools and round robins played in each section. For a few years the A section was played at Marist Observatory. Myles Fowlds, another Old Eds player was organiser and referee at Marist Observatory while Roley continued to organise the B section at Old Eds. This change also saw the first presentation of the “Old Edwardian Cup”, the same trophy that teams compete for today. This trophy was largely financed by Roley Wright himself.
The game steadily became more popular as a school sport. Some boys who had played water polo at school became teachers and their enthusiasm was contagious and soon schools such as King Edward VII, Parktown, St Stithians and Jeppe were fielding teams in all age groups. The school’s body grew stronger and eventually took over the running of the tournament.
Today the King Edward VII School’s tournament is the most prestigious one in the country, hotly contested by the Gauteng founder Schools as well as the Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Border and Free State schools, which are also taking part.Courtesy of Roley Wright, founder of the Edwardian Cup Tournament.
FIXTURES
PREVIOUS WINNERS
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