JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – From the school pool to the Olympic Games and multiple World Championships, Old Roedeanian Boati Motau‘s journey demonstrates what becomes possible when young talent is supported by expert coaching, meaningful opportunities and sustained mentorship. As Roedean prepares to welcome more than 320 young athletes for its U14 Water Polo Tournament, her return as a coach offers a compelling example of how sporting excellence can create opportunities for future generations.
From October 22-to-25, Roedean School (SA) will host over 15 schools from across South Africa and the rest of Africa, bringing together approximately 320 young athletes and 48 coaches and referees for four days of competitive water polo.
Beyond the scale of the tournament lies a broader story about the importance of investing in girls’ sport and creating pathways that extend from school-level participation to international representation.
Few stories illustrate this more powerfully than that of Boati Motau, whose journey has come full circle, from developing her talent at Roedean to representing South Africa on the world stage and returning to mentor the next generation.
From Schoolgirl to Olympian: The Making of Boati Motau
Boati’s sporting journey began taking shape during her school years under the guidance of Anita Trninic, Roedean’s Water Polo Coach, who helped develop the technical ability, tactical understanding and competitive discipline that would become central to her career.
Having represented Gauteng at provincial level, Boati progressed through the national water polo structures, helping South Africa’s U17 team secure second place at the 2019 EU Nations Water Polo Cup.
At Roedean, she captained the School’s water polo team and was recognized as Sportswoman of the Year in 2020.
Reflecting on the influence of her school years, Boati shares:
“When I was at Roedean, I don’t think I fully understood just how much those years would shape my future. It wasn’t only about learning how to play water polo. It was about understanding what commitment looks like, learning to trust your teammates and being pushed to see what you’re capable of. Looking back, so much of what carried me through my career started right here.”
In 2021, at just 18 years old, Boati represented South Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone in her sporting career.
Her achievements continued internationally, with appearances at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, and the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
She also competed in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I collegiate water polo at Bucknell University in the United States, scoring 96 goals across four seasons, and subsequently earned selection for the 2026 Women’s Water Polo World Cup Division 2 in Malta.
Her progression reflects the importance of building strong sporting foundations early, supported by opportunities to compete, develop and continually challenge personal limits.
When the Student Becomes the Mentor
Today, Boati has returned to Roedean, coaching alongside Anita Trninic, the very person who helped shape her sporting journey.
It is a partnership that reflects the enduring influence of exceptional mentorship.
For Roedean’s current water polo players, learning from an Olympian and multiple World Championship competitor who once trained in the same pool offers a unique opportunity to benefit from international experience at school level.
Boati brings firsthand knowledge of the demands of elite competition, including the technical standards, tactical awareness, teamwork and mental preparation required to perform on the world stage.
Reflecting on her relationship with Anita and what it means to now coach alongside her, Boati says:
“Anita knew how to challenge me, even when I didn’t necessarily see what she saw in me. She taught me that talent alone is never enough. You have to put in the work, understand the game, and be prepared to show up for your team. Now I find myself coaching alongside the person who taught me those lessons, and there are moments when I hear myself saying the very things she used to say to me. That’s quite special.”
Their partnership demonstrates that the true measure of a school’s sporting programme extends beyond the achievements of its athletes. It is also reflected in the knowledge, expertise and opportunities they bring back to the institution that helped develop them.
320 Young Athletes. Four Days. A Platform for Future Champions.
As Roedean prepares to host its U14 Water Polo Tournament, Boati’s journey provides an example of the opportunities that can emerge when young athletes are given access to meaningful competitive experiences.
For the approximately 320 girls participating, the tournament represents an opportunity to put months of preparation into practice, test their abilities against teams from different sporting environments and experience the value of teamwork under competitive conditions.
At this stage of development, exposure to different playing styles, coaching approaches and levels of competition contributes to technical growth, confidence and a deeper understanding of the game.
Having progressed from school-level competitions to the international stage, Boati recognises the importance of these experiences.
“At 14, you don’t always realize how important these tournaments are. You’re excited to play, you want to do well for your team and you’re learning something new with every match. But these are the experiences that stay with you. You’re exposed to different teams, different styles of play and new challenges. Somewhere among these 320 girls could be a future national player or Olympian. That’s what makes creating opportunities like this so important.”
The tournament also reflects the scale of collaboration required to advance girls’ sport, bringing together schools, coaches, officials and supporters from across South Africa and the rest of Africa.
For Roedean, hosting an event of this magnitude is an extension of its commitment to creating opportunities where young athletes can develop their abilities, gain valuable competitive experience and begin exploring their sporting potential.
Building a Sporting Legacy That Extends Beyond the Pool
Roedean’s approach to sporting development is grounded in the belief that access to quality coaching, appropriate facilities and competitive opportunities plays an important role in nurturing young talent.
Boati’s progression from schoolgirl athlete to Olympian, international competitor and now mentor demonstrates how this investment can create an enduring cycle of opportunity.
Her return also highlights the importance of alumni who remain connected to their schools, sharing the expertise and experiences gained beyond the classroom and sporting field.
For Boati, this opportunity carries particular significance:
“I was once one of the girls in this pool, learning from coaches who invested their time and knowledge in me. Today, I have the opportunity to do the same for someone else. If I can help even one girl believe that she is capable of achieving more than she imagined, then coming back to Roedean means so much more than returning to where I started.”
The Next Olympian Could Be Among Them
As more than 320 young athletes prepare to take to the water from 22 to 25 October, the Roedean U14 Water Polo Tournament promises four days of competitive sport, shared experiences and opportunities for emerging talent.
For some, it may mark an important step towards provincial or national representation. For others, it will provide valuable lessons in teamwork, resilience and the confidence that comes from testing their abilities against their peers.
And perhaps, among the young athletes entering the pool, there is another future Olympian whose journey is only just beginning.
Boati Motau’s story is a reminder that sporting excellence is not developed overnight. It is the result of sustained investment, expert mentorship and opportunities that allow young talent to grow. Her return to Roedean brings that journey full circle, ensuring that the experience gained on the international stage now contributes to developing the next generation.
From the school pool to the Olympic Games and back again, the legacy continues.
Release courtesy Roedean School
