In line with the 2024-2032 High Performance Strategy, Water Polo Australia (WPA) is adjusting the delivery and support of the National Performance Pathways program to enhance the foundations of the program and ensure athletes are best prepared for potential representative squads, including future opportunities to transition into the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers programs.
The National U16 and U18 Development programs, administered in partnership by Water Polo Australia and the States, will broaden to focus on more than preparing teams for age group World Championships. WPA will be working and co-investing with the States to provide more ongoing, regionally delivered development activities for athletes throughout the year that will underpin other more targeted activity at national and international level. Phase one of the pathways program shift is the announcement of preliminary National U16 and U18 Development Squads which will be made imminently.
These are made up of two tiers, selected to recognise both the current performance levels and developmental needs of various athletes.
It is important to note that these squads are not fixed, with the ability for athletes to transition in and out of certain squads, and equally for athletes not currently selected to squads to be added should they perform at a level or show potential that warrants their inclusion.
The intentions of these squads are outlined below:
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Squad 1 – Athletes that National Age Group coaches, following performance observations and state coaching consultations, have identified as having an elevated current level of performance and readiness for heightened development activity.
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Squad 2 – Athletes that National Age Group coaches, following performance observations and state coaching consultations, have identified as having future potential and that would benefit from ongoing engagement with targeted state program activity with the possibility for transition into higher squads and exposure to heightened development activity.
Note: WPA is currently working through a nomenclature review across all its senior and junior programs to ensure consistency and alignment through the pathway. These squads in the interim are therefore simply referred to as Squad 1 and Squad 2 with ongoing names to be determined in the months ahead.
