Question NW829 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
16 April 2024 - NW829
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(a). what steps has Swimming SA (SSA) taken to foster the development of water polo at grassroots levels within the republic, (b) how is SSA actively involved in developing (i) coaches and (ii) officials to enhance the overall standard of water polo coaching and officiating?
Reply:
The Ministry engaged Swimming South Africa (SSA) who provided the following responses:
(a). Considering limited resources, grassroots programmes are primarily focused on water safety education and teaching swimming as a life skill in areas where there are facilities. Noting that of approximately 25,000 schools in South Africa, 22,000 do not have swimming pools. Swimming Pools in schools is limited to private schools where water polo is practiced.
(b). Due to financial constraints, Swimming South Africa (SSA) in conjunction with World Aquatics can only provide annual training programmes to coaches and technical officials on an alternative basis. This is an average of 30 people trained annually in accredited courses.