GRASSROOTS
Children develop specific aquatic skills in Mini Water Polo programmes held at swimming centres across the country
and quality of coaching through the UKCC coaching certification programme. Inter- action between clubs is also encouraged to offer players more water time.
Regional training The next step is for a player to attend one of the 14 Regional Training Centres in England and Wales, which currently support more than 250 athletes. After profiling and a short series of tests to comply with entry criteria, they begin a 30-week schedule of training – closely aligned to the national training pro- gramme held every month in Cardiff. A National Academy is held every year
for around 200 regional training cen- tre players and coaches. Workshops on coach education, nutrition, sports science and team management are held and the week culminates with a mini tournament and selection for the players on the next stage – the national training programme.
National training The national training programme consists of monthly weekend camps from Sep- tember through to the following July, which offer bespoke training around the principles of Long-Term Athlete Develop- ment and Long-Term Player Development. Half-term camps are also held and players compete in domestic and foreign events – all geared towards European qualification.
Support for coaches Dutch coaching supremo Paul Metz, who was instrumental in the gold medal suc- cess of the Netherlands Women’s team at
2012 will see the launch of an updated regional Water Polo Table Officials course – offering an opportunity for young people to become involved in the administrative side of the sport
the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is delivering a series of coaching workshops in conjunc- tion with the national talent programme. With the aim of implementing a nation- wide ‘unity in thoughts’ training model for water polo players at all stages of the Long-Term Athlete Development model, the workshops will examine the pipeline of athletes from clubs to regional train- ing centres to the national team. The national team of coaching staff also
deliver workshops around the country for swimming teachers, instructors and coach- es on Long-Term Athlete Development and the use of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework fundamentals and games to deliver fun and innovative lessons.
Officiating for young people It’s vital to develop a strong workforce of young people to ensure the sustain- ability of the sport, so it’s great news that 2012 will see the launch of an up- dated regional Water Polo Table Officials course. This new interactive course offers an opportunity for young people to be- come involved in the administrative side of the sport. Effectively engaging young volunteers in the officiating pathway, it will bring enthusiastic and knowledge- able young people into the sport and
46 Read Sports Management online
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guide them through the roles and re- sponsibilities of a table official. Successful candidates will develop their competence and confidence enabling them to offici- ate at regional matches.
Looking to the future Water polo is a fun, social, interactive game that can be played from a young age from mini-polo to masters level. The work to encourage participation across all na- tional age groups has created an upsurge in mini-polo with large numbers now en- gaged in the sport from a young age. The exposure of the sport through the
Olympic Games will continue to enhance involvement at the local community level and our elite team’s performance in 2012 can also act to bolster the aspirations of our junior, youth and academy national teams and give the belief that Olympic competitiveness is achievable. The ASA is committed to continued in-
vestment in the development of club and coach education to provide opportunities for coaches and players to progress along the pathway to world class and ensure the sustainability and success of the sport at the highest level. l For more information visit
www.swimming.org/britishswimming/water-polo
Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012
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