KNYSNA NEWS - After seven years of coaching swimmers in Knysna, Francois Boshoff says leaving the town and the club he helped build was not a choice he wanted to make, but one he felt he had to make to secure his family's future.

"The uncertainty surrounding Knysna Aquatics' future at Knysna Primary School was the only reason I left Knysna," he said.

Boshoff, the club's former head coach, accepted a coaching position elsewhere after learning that Knysna Aquatics' application to continue using the school's swimming pool from January 2027 had been unsuccessful.

For him, the decision came down to job security.

"I have a family that I need to provide for. I need job security, and I cannot afford to be unemployed on 1 January 2027," he said.

Knysna Primary School has been home to Knysna Aquatics since 2019. Its current usage agreement runs until 31 December 2026, but the school decided to put the pool arrangement out to tender rather than simply renew the agreement.

Boshoff said he initially remained hopeful that the club and school could reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, correspondence from the school raised concerns about the financial terms required to continue using the facility.

In August, the school indicated that it was seeking an income of R15 000 a month, excluding running costs projected at more than R200 000 a year at the rate at that time.

Boshoff believed the proposed arrangement was not financially sustainable for the club.

"It was all about money. Knysna Primary School wanted more money, and I simply could not justify the amount requested for the number of hours the club had use of the pool and the number of registered swimmers," he said.

"I could not in good conscience agree to an amount that I was not certain the club could afford."

Although the uncertainty prompted him to explore other employment opportunities, Boshoff said he waited for the outcome of the tender process before signing a new employment contract.

On 16 September, he received confirmation that Knysna Aquatics' application had been unsuccessful and that its existing arrangement with the school would end in December.

The decision had a profound personal impact.

"My swimmers and I tried to stay positive and motivated, which was not always easy," he said. "After announcing my decision to leave Knysna, my swimmers and parents were devastated. Lots of tears were shed on the pool deck, both by swimmers and by me."

His greatest concern is what lies ahead for the swimmers. Without access to a suitable heated 25m indoor pool in Knysna, those who want to continue training through the year may have to travel to George or join other clubs in the district.

Boshoff hopes the club's incoming committee can reach an agreement with the school or the successful tender applicant to secure pool time for 2027.

He believes Knysna Aquatics can continue under a new coach if suitable facilities can be secured, but stresses that pool access is essential.

"I truly hope so, for the swimmers' sakes," he said.

Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure, Boshoff remains proud of what the club has achieved over the past seven years.

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming my family into your lives, for trusting me with your children, for standing by us, for the friendly smiles, the chats, the hugs and the general sense of belonging to a swim family," he said.

"Knysna Aquatics has been good to us, and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past seven years.

"This is not goodbye. This is see you later, hopefully on a pool deck somewhere else."

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