{"id":175909,"date":"2026-02-02T10:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodthingsguy.com\/?p=175909"},"modified":"2026-02-02T09:43:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T07:43:16","slug":"rondebosch-moms-water-polo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodthingsguy.com\/sport\/rondebosch-moms-water-polo\/","title":{"rendered":"A Group of Rondebosch Moms Turned Sideline Cheers into Water Polo Action"},"content":{"rendered":"

What began as a spontaneous idea has grown into the Turtles, a team of moms making their mark in South African water polo.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cape Town, South Africa (02 February 2026) – <\/em>Watching their children play water polo every weekend, a group of Rondebosch moms never imagined they would one day dive into the pool themselves. But that\u2019s exactly what happened when Kerry Van Niekerk and a few friends decided it was time to take on the challenge.<\/p>\n

Kerry, who is a former varsity water polo player, has led the charge with a team now known as the Turtles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played water polo when I was younger at school and at varsity. When my son started playing again, I thought, \u2018Jeez, this is the best sport ever.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What started as a spontaneous idea among friends has grown into a movement of women making waves in South African water polo.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d spend a year on the side of the pool, jumping up and down, just proud of him. Then I was chatting to an old friend, and we said, \u2018How funny would it be if we jumped in the pool?\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It all just expanded from there.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe chatted to a few other moms, and by the end of last year, we just decided, \u2018We\u2019re doing this.\u2019 We\u2019re making a team. We\u2019re getting cosies, matching caps. We just went all out.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Photo Credit: Turtles Waterpolo<\/a> – Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, the Turtles are 18 strong, practising twice a week and carving out their place in a sport largely dominated by men.<\/p>\n

The team is preparing to compete at the Masters tournament in East London this March, marking the first time women\u2019s teams have been included.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt started as a bit of a joke, like, \u2018Imagine if we went to Masters.\u2019 The next thing we knew, we\u2019re actually going. We\u2019re all nervous, mildly terrified, but so excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Turtles also embody the balance of motherhood and sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all moms, so our kids always come first. But we\u2019ve really started prioritising ourselves. This is our hour. It\u2019s a safe space where we can be completely ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Photo Credit: Turtles Waterpolo<\/a> – Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kerry shared that returning to team sports after university has been transformative. Being part of the Turtles has brought joy and a renewed sense of team spirit. She explained how the women support and celebrate each other, building connections that extend beyond the pool, creating a truly special and empowering environment.<\/p>\n

It has also been about creating community and inspiring the next generation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that shows young girls you can keep playing, keep competing, no matter your stage in life, that\u2019s powerful.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With their first Masters tournament on the horizon, the Turtles are ready to prove that women\u2019s water polo is here to inspire and make its mark.<\/p>\n

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Sources: GTG Interview\u00a0<\/em><\/h6>\n
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