Reddam House Umhlanga are making waves in Water Polo!
Five Reddam House Umhlanga athletes help power KZN to water polo glory at national championship
Reddam House Umhlanga is celebrating a rare and remarkable achievement: five of its athletes – three current students and two alumni – were part of the KwaZulu-Natal women’s water polo team that competed at the prestigious SA National Aquatic Championships (Currie Cup), held in East London from 26 to 28 April 2025.
This elite national tournament is considered the pinnacle of provincial water polo in South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal is widely regarded as one of the country’s most competitive provinces, with a long history of strong showings at national level. In 2025, the KZN women’s side fielded one of the youngest teams in the competition. Despite finishing at the bottom of the log, the squad showed commendable skill and spirit against more experienced provincial teams.
Representing Reddam House Umhlanga were Josie Houston (Grade 12), Danya Thompson (Grade 10), and London Remley (Grade 9), alongside alumni Christy Dudas (Class of 2023) and Amber Lewis (Class of 2024) – all of whom trained under the dedicated mentorship of water polo coach Keith Garrett.
“This is an incredible reflection of our school’s sporting programme and the commitment of these athletes,” said Garrett. “It’s extremely rewarding to see students I’ve coached progress to this level – and even more so when they’re contributing to a province like KZN, known for its strength and depth in water polo. We were up against players with years of senior-level experience, and our girls held their own with real determination. They will come back stronger, and I’m incredibly proud of how they performed.”
For Josie Houston, the selection marked the realisation of a long-held goal. “It had been my dream since I started playing in Grade 9,” she said. “I wasn’t the best in the team when I joined, but I showed up to every practice and worked hard. Making the Currie Cup team is proof that hard work pays off.”
Grade 10 student Danya Thompson brought a unique edge to the squad – she has already represented South Africa in archery and is set to compete at the Archery World Championships in Argentina later this year. “Having to shoot your final arrow to win a tournament equates to shooting a penalty shot to win a water polo game or tournament,” she explained. “Being on a team with four of my Reddam friends made the KZN selection extra special.”
Grade 9’s London Remley – one of the youngest players in the squad – described her selection as a dream come true. “Training with older players like Josie has helped me grow in confidence and skill,” she said. “I’ve learnt so much about teamwork and discipline, and now I just want to keep getting better and one day represent South Africa.”
At the heart of the success is Keith Garrett, who has built a robust and competitive programme at Reddam House Umhlanga. “Our players are expected to push hard and strive for individual and team goals,” he explained. “The game is physically demanding and mentally challenging, and what we’re seeing now is the result of years of consistent development.”
For these five athletes to be selected from one school – and to compete as teammates at national level – is rare in any sport. It is a testament not only to their individual grit but also to the environment cultivated by the school.
“The support we get at Reddam is something other schools might not offer,” Danya added. “Mr Garrett puts up with my polo talk at random times during the school day – that’s the kind of coach he is. Dedicated, passionate, and always pushing us to the next level.”
The presence of alumni Christy Dudas and Amber Lewis on the KZN team also speaks to the longevity of Reddam’s sporting culture. “It’s so rewarding to see them continuing with the sport beyond school,” said Garrett. “That’s what we hope for – a love of the game that lasts.”
As the dust settles on the national championships, the spotlight now shines on what’s next. For London, it’s her dream of playing for South Africa. For Josie, it’s continuing to balance sport and academics as she finishes Grade 12. And for Danya, it’s the unique path of competing on the world stage in both archery and water polo.
But all five girls share one thing: a start at Reddam House Umhlanga, and a future that looks very bright.
