Just months after entering her final year of school as a world champion archer, Reddam House Umhlanga’s Danya Thompson has added another significant achievement to her sporting résumé – representing South Africa in water polo for the first time.
The 18-year-old Grade 12 student was selected for South Africa’s women’s team at the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4×4 Open Championships, held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 31 August to 6 September.
South Africa finished eighth in the new global competition, with Danya scoring four of the team’s 15 goals – including South Africa’s first goal of the tournament.
For Danya, who was crowned world champion in the Young Adult Female Freestyle Unlimited archery category in Argentina in November 2025, earning national colours in a second sport was particularly meaningful. “It meant so much to me because all the long hours and dedication had paid off,” she says. “It was the first time this type of tournament was being held, which made it even more exciting. I was so honoured to be selected to represent South Africa.”
The World Aquatics championships marked the international debut of the new four-a-side format, which features a smaller playing area and shorter shot clock than traditional water polo. The matches were staged in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town harbour, creating an unusual setting for the world’s top players to test the developing format. “It was a learning curve for everyone because it was completely new,” says Danya. “The game was developing as the tournament went on, and we were learning different ways of doing things and talking to coaches and players from other countries.
“I genuinely think we surprised people. We didn’t get the outcome we would have wanted, but we never gave up. We kept fighting, learning and developing.”
Playing against some of the sport’s leading nations and athletes was another highlight. “There were world-renowned players there – people you have looked up to – and suddenly you realise you’re in the pool playing against them,” she says. “The USA game was quite daunting, but also incredibly exciting. The first game was very physical and immediately made you realise that we were in this for the long run.”
Normally a centre forward in traditional water polo, Danya says the four-a-side game required players to adapt because positions are far less defined. She relished both the speed of the new format and the opportunity to compete in an environment where water polo was the shared passion. “I absolutely love water polo because I love the team dynamic and the tactics. You’re constantly learning and finding different ways to play,” she says.
Her other sporting passion could hardly be more different. In archery, the decisive moment comes down to the individual archer, something Danya believes has helped prepare her for pressure situations in the pool. “The focus I’ve learnt through archery has definitely helped my water polo,” she explains. “When you’re on the shooting line, you have to clear your mind, block out distractions and focus on what is happening right there and then. That helps me in water polo too. When I’m in the pool, it’s me, the ball and my teammates, and we have to play. I actually love the pressure. I feel ready for it.”
Combining two sports at this level with the demands of Grade 12 requires careful use of almost every available hour. Danya trains through Reddam House Umhlanga as well as with RAD Academy, run by South African U18 boys’ coach Rob Ambler, while continuing to practise archery at home and at Kings Park Archery Club. She credits the support of her teachers with helping her manage the demands of training, travel and academics. “Whenever I have spare time, I study – at school, on the way to training, on the way back or when I get home,” she says. “The teachers are always willing to help and that makes the experience so much easier. Sometimes you feel like you’re not going to manage everything, but you keep pushing and eventually you get through it.”
Chad Moses, Executive Head of Reddam House Umhlanga, says, “Danya has been a dedicated and committed member of our waterpolo programme throughout her educational journey here at Reddam House Umhlanga. She recently received recognition for playing over 200 games for the school first team, which is testament to her hard work, dedication, and determination.”
There is little sign that Danya intends choosing between her two sports any time soon. Her next water polo goal is selection for South Africa’s U20 women’s team in the traditional six-a-side format, while she would also welcome another opportunity to represent the country in WP4. In archery, her ambitions remain equally high as she pursues opportunities in international competition. “I definitely want to continue with both,” she says. “I have very big aspirations, but I just want to keep trying my hardest. I would rather try than never try at all and I want to see how far I can get in both sports.”
For a student who has already become a world champion in one discipline and represented her country in another before finishing school, that journey is already well under way.
