New franchise series ready to churn up water as driver for change in sport

WATER polo's new national franchise tournament is set to make a splash after borrowing from the concept of SA20 cricket's draft system, and could also tap into the pool of rugby talent in SA.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

The inaugural event of the new Winter Series, sponsored by leading automation manufacturer Jendamark, will see 112 of the country's elite senior players drafted into four men's and four women's squads that are set to churn up the water of the Newton Park Indoor Pool in Gqeberha from August 8 to 10.

Treading water

The franchise system is designed to help level the playing field and offer an alternative to the regional dominance of Western Province and Gauteng teams in inter-provincial competition.

It also marks the first national tournament run under the auspices of the newly formed South Africa Water Polo (SAWP), which has successfully challenged Swimming South Africa in court for the rights to promote the interests of this growing sport.