Swim England Water Polo Hub
Player development with England Water Polo Talent
November 1, 2018The Swim England Water Polo Talent team deliver high-quality training and competition for the most promising young players in England.
Three levels of the Talent Programme
1. Regional Academy Programme
Each of the Swim England regions run training sessions for their top U14, u15 & U16 male and female players, culminating in the Inter Regional Competitions.
Through the Regional Academies players will work towards England Water Polo Talent Centre Standards. Head Regional Coaches will assess against these criteria and nominate players to the next step on the pathway.
The U14 & U16 Inter Regional Championships will be used as an additional talent identification opportunity for National Academy Coaches to select from, to ensure no potential talent is missed.
2. National Talent Centre Programme
There are 6 Talent Centres geographically placed across England designed to provide young talented players with weekly access to our Talent Centre Coaches.
Selection to a Talent Centre will be through open trials or subsequent Talent Identification by England Talent Water Polo Coaches at national and regional events.
Players at an England Talent Centre can expect to receive high quality coaching in the technical skills and tactical foundations they will require to thrive at national team level across 3 terms each year.
In the winter, players will gather for a tournament with a twist. Players will be selected from each centre, to compete in mixed teams, giving them an opportunity to play with peers from across the country. The U14 tournament will be run by our partners at English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA), whilst the U16 tournament will be run as a festival by our Talent Centre Program coaches.
Following the Easter and Summer terms our six talent centres will compete at the Talent Games, an opportunity for players to play at the highest level possible for this age group in England. Players will also take part in both pool and classroom education workshops with invited deliverers before competing to be crowned National Talent Centre Champions.
3. National Squad Programme
The national squads are the top level of the talent pathway in England. U17, U19 and senior national squads train every month and work towards competing at European and international competitions.
To be selected in a national squad, athletes must be either recommended by their regional coach or be scouted by talent coaches at The Talent Games or other National club or Regional Events. When they attend the trials, they will be selected on a number of physiological, technical, psychological and tactical factors, as well as other elements such as compatibility and work ethic.
Athletes and their coaches should have a clear understanding about the commitment required to be part of the national team and the expectations, travel and time required before considering attending the trials.
It is advantageous for the athletes to be known to the national programme staff by taking part in the Talent Games as part of the Talent Centre Programme or other competitions regionally and nationally. Athletes should be competitive and striving for the top level within the sport.
If you become a member of one of the Swim England Water Polo squads, you will continue to work with your home club programme and club coach. It is important for your club coaches to be engaged in your development and the training hours and requirements once you are part of the programme. All training is compulsory and is a mixture of camps and weekends. You can also continue to be a part of your Region.
