Herzlia sports master makes splash with SA selection

Ross van Schoor, the head of aquatics at United Herzlia Schools, who is representing South Africa in the World Aquatics Cup this month, motivates pupils by setting an example as an athlete in his own right.

Van Schoor, who has always been involved in water polo, will be heading with the South African team to Istanbul, Turkey, to play for the country’s men’s water polo team in the World Aquatics Cup, starting on 18 December.

“I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and honour when I was selected to represent my country at the highest level,” Van Schoor, a Rondebosch Boys’ High School and University of Stellenbosch alumnus, says.

His selection comes soon after Herzlia opened its new state-of-the-art aquatics centre, the Mercaz Mayim.

Van Schoor says the centre, nestled in the heart of Herzlia’s high school campus, “brings with it a huge opportunity and exposure to our pupils to all-year-round water polo and swimming indoors. It allows us to host tournaments as well as touring schools for games. This pool doesn’t just benefit the pupils, but the entire school and the community.”

The centre incorporates two pools in one, 12 swimming lanes, and enables water polo matches to be played while swimmers are also in action. It includes changing rooms, a canteen, and other facilities.

Herzlia Executive Director Andries van Renssen says, “Our vision is for the pool to be alive with activity from morning to night. I envision bustling galas and water polo tournaments that bring multiple schools together.”

As the head of aquatics and a sports co-ordinator at Herzlia, Van Schoor ensures the smooth running of all sport at the school.

“I make sure that Herzlia sports has a programme and development strategy in place to grow and develop our athletes. I lead by example as an athlete in my own right. I also help to look after the gym and with strength and conditioning programmes for sports teams.”

A highlight from his time at Herzlia is having a Herzlia team play in the Mazinter Cup Finals for the past three years in a row, and participating in the Knysna Chukka Festival for the first time and having an unbeaten tour.

Recalling how he got into water polo, Van Schoor jokes that his dad threw him into the pool and told him to swim. In actual fact, “I was never cut out for cricket. I much preferred a faster, quicker game in the pool on a nice hot summer day. My dad encouraged me to play the sport from a young age, and I took to it very quickly.”

Van Schoor started playing water polo in Grade 3, and has been playing ever since. “It was my main sport at Rondebosch Boys’ High School, and the sport I was truly passionate about. I captained the first team, in which we won numerous tournaments and were ranked the number one team in the country for two years. I then went on to study at the University of Stellenbosch, and played for the Maties first team water polo side. When I moved back to Cape Town, I joined Rondebosch Old Boys, and I play for the Rondebosch Meerkats.”

Van Schoor played provincially for eight years. “I captained the number one team in South Africa at school level. I have won two USSA [University Sports South Africa] gold medals [in inter-varsity tournaments]. I’ve also won the Currie Cup, which is the most prestigious men’s tournament in the country.”

The always-busy Van Schoor juggles water polo with his work at Herzlia and tertiary studies. “You cannot study and work all the time,” he says. “Physical exercise is as important, and brings a lot of joy to my life. In order to be successful, it’s important to live a balanced lifestyle.”

He will be hoping to help South Africa, a country with three Olympic men’s water polo appearances to its name, to have a good showing against Iran and Kazakhstan in their World Cup group.