Elevate Water Polo Under-23 Squad set to make Nordic League debut in Lisbon

ELEVATE Water Polo’s Under-23 men’s team is preparing to make its debut at the prestigious Nordic League tournament in Lisbon, Portugal, later this month, as part of a strategic initiative to support South African players caught between school and senior levels.

“These types of tours are crucial for the development of water polo in our country, especially for the under-23 age group, which is often described as a ‘lost’ age group in our current system,” said team captain Sam Hanssen. “You’re too old to play for the under-18 side but too young for the men’s national team.

"This tour is a great way to bridge that gap and keep players engaged in the sport.”

After a rigorous six-month training programme that began in April, the squad will depart South Africa on November 25, following a final camp in Cape Town from November 22 to 23.

The tournament’s Qualification Round runs from November 28 to 30 and will feature 34 clubs from 18 countries. Elevate will face Sporting Clube de Portugal, Cheltenham SWPC (England), and STT Copenhagen (Denmark) in their pool, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Group Phase.

Now in its eighth edition, the Nordic League is designed to provide competitive exposure to emerging senior-level players. Head of Performance at Elevate Water Polo, Duncan Woods, explained the reasoning behind fielding an under-23 team.

“We have intentionally chosen the under-23 age group as the vital bridge between our strong local schools’ water polo segment and the international senior level,” said Woods, who will serve as head coach in Portugal.

“This tournament offers a unique opportunity for our rising stars to experience high-level senior competition, pushing them to transition effectively from under-20 to international senior status. Many of our top players in this age band face a development gap that we need to address to ensure no milestones are skipped.”

'Phenomenal' team culture

Hanssen, who recently completed a business science degree at UCT, said the squad is prepared for the challenge.

“It’s both an honour and a privilege to captain this Elevate under-23 side at the Nordic League,” he said. “I’m confident in our squad and believe we’ve prepared really well. The team culture is phenomenal. Most of us have known each other for years and play against each other at the club level. The weekly training sessions over the past month have brought us even closer.”

Hanssen is particularly excited about facing Sporting Clube de Portugal, noting the club’s connection to global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. “The support in the arena will be incredible, and it’s really cool that they are connected to Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably one of the greatest sportsmen of all time,” he said.

Elevate Water Polo is also preparing an under-23 women’s team for the March 2026 edition of the Nordic League. Women’s head coach Megan Sileno said the initiative is vital for sustaining post-school water polo.

“It is such an amazing opportunity for young women to continue playing competitively in their early twenties. It shows that water polo after school is alive and well,” Sileno said.

Hanssen added that while the team aims to compete for gold, development remains a priority. “We’re not just going to participate, we’re going to compete. But equally important is developing as a team and as well-rounded players. We hope to bring back valuable insights to share with our teammates, the players we coach, and the wider water polo community.”

The team returns to South Africa on December 2, just in time for the University Sport South Africa (USSA) tournament in Tshwane.

Elevate Water Polo U23 Squad: Tayne Beswick (Right Hand Side), Andy Botha (Left Hand Side), Joshua de Villiers (Centre Forward), Warwick Field (Left Hand Side), Sam Hanssen (Centre Back/Captain), Matthew Hayes (Right Hand Side), Nathan Jacob (Goalkeeper), Mark Mansvelt (Centre Forward), Sebastian Riley Nielsen (Utility), Richard Skeeles (Centre Forward), Stefan Swart (Centre Back), Ross van Breda (Centre Back/Utility), Thomas Wiltshire (Utility), and Jack Woodburn (Goalkeeper/Vice-Captain).