A young water polo sensation is on the brink of representing South Africa’s under-17 water polo team, in Brno, Czech Republic, next week.
Fish Hoek’s Morgan Christian’s exceptional form over the years has allowed her to be selected for the second time to represent the national team, having taken part in the CANA Zone IV Water Polo Championships, in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2020.
Next week, the team will travel up to the EU Nations Women’s under-17 Water Polo Championship in Brno, where the players in green and gold will attempt to bring back home top honours.
Morgan started playing water polo at the age of 9 while at Sun Valley Primary School. Travelling overseas for the first time will be a dream come true for her.
“I look forward to being a great ambassador to South Africa. I was exposed to swimming as a toddler when I lived in Gauteng and belonged to Wahoo and the Ryk Neethling swim academy. I participated in school swimming galas and always felt at home in the swimming pool,” she says.
Morgan says the coaching she received from Amy Keevy while at Sun Valley assisted her to play at top form throughout the years.
“I have also been a member of The Western Warriors Water Polo Academy since 2018 where my skills improved substantially thanks to my coaches, Alex Hawkins, Nicola Barrett, Dean Rimmer, Chad Gabriels.
“In 2019 I am grateful to have received a scholarship to attend Herschel Girls’ High School and currently represent the school’s first team.
“I have to thank all my coaches and my parents for having a positive impact on my water polo career,” she says.
Morgan’s relationship with her family, coaches and friends has helped her to stay disciplined in how she approaches the sport, school and the balance between socials – she someday hopes to obtain a bursary to study sports science medicine at a prestigious university.
“I am grateful that my career path is taking shape and it’s been an awesome journey so far. I am hoping to obtain a sports scholarship to study abroad.
“I have so many amazing people in my life who have supported me in every way possible and I would like to thank each and every one of them for being a part of my journey. I am also grateful to the people who I have not met but who have supported me in my fundraising efforts. You are simply amazing.
“To the kids who have ambitions of reaching the goals, stay positive and go for it. With hard work and discipline, you can achieve your dreams. Remember to always enjoy what you do and be grateful of your talents by sharing and paying it forward,” she says.
Morgan’s parents, Verna and Craig Christians said they are extremely proud of Morgan and she will give her best at this tournament and is part of an amazing team.
“Morgan makes our role as her parents quite easy. She is a multi-talented young lady who has achieved so much academically, musically and in sport. She has a strong work ethic which involves a healthy lifestyle. Morgan manages to maintain a life of enjoyment outside her discipline by enjoying her spare time with friends,” says Christian.
“Morgan plans every aspect of her day and she has a healthy fitness and academic routine that she follows every day. Most importantly she enjoys what she does. Go out there and smash it! Have fun with your teammates and keep the SA flag flying high,” says Christian.
To help Morgan Christian achieve her dream of representing SA in the Czech Republic next week, she needs to raise at least R30 000 in funds.
Contact her parents, Verna and Craig Christian on 0829940331, for more information and the raffle fundraising campaign. Or visit her BackaBuddy campaign on the link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/charity/profile/morgan-christian-sport
