Elite sport meets top marks: Reddam Bedfordview’s Anastasia Hambakis shines in pool and classroom

Reddam House Bedfordview matriculant Anastasia “Stasi” Hambakis proved that elite sport and academic performance can co-exist, achieving two As and a strong B average while representing South Africa in water polo and spending significant time out of the classroom for camps, travel and competition. Between national commitments, training camps and tournaments, she played in around 11 tournaments during the year, with several landing during term time and costing her roughly two school days per event.

The most demanding stretch came during her prelims. In the week before leaving for Spain with her Elevate team, Stasi wrote eight exams in five days, including back-to-back sittings that required her to return to school in the afternoon after a morning paper. “On the Friday, I wrote an exam from 9–12, rushed home, got my bags and headed straight for the airport,” she says. “When I got back, I had to catch up two exams back to back.”

Spain, however, was not a holiday. The trip to Barcelona took place mid-prelims and combined professional coaching with international competition. It also tested her ability to stay academically anchored while living out of a suitcase. Stasi’s strategy was disciplined and practical: consistent class notes, and study materials packed alongside kit. “If I felt I needed more time with my work, I’d take my books with me to tournaments. I took my study notes to revise on the plane to Spain.”

When pressure peaked, her priorities were ruthlessly clear. Taking Greek as an eighth subject meant limited weekly contact time and a heavy memorisation load. “I prioritised it the most when things got tight,” she explains, describing late evening lessons and the need to learn literature responses word-for-word.

The emotional pinch point came when tournaments coincided with final exam preparation. “I was playing in a tournament whilst others were studying for finals… I did fear that I was going to do terribly,” she says. Her response was to shut out everything except recovery and revision. “When I got home, my family members didn’t see me for about the rest of the week because I was studying so hard in my room.”

For Stasi, her results are proof that performance does not have to be a trade-off. “My results show me that everything is possible… I never have to give up what I love to focus on academics. It highlights the need for balance in life.”

She credits her coach, Mr Ackerman, for constant support and belief, and points to school backing that enabled opportunities like Spain.

She also highlights her family’s commitment, from the stands to the travel schedule: “I never would have been here today if it weren’t for them.”

Looking ahead, Stasi plans to study for a BA in interior design at Inscape in Stellenbosch, has applied for a coaching position, and hopes to play for Maties’ first team.

Stephen Hazley, executive head of Reddam House Bedfordview, says, “Anastasia is incredibly hard working and determined, she has been a great asset to the school and her leadership and dedication was outstanding in the pool.”