Coaching

All water polo teams need coaches - from junior Clubs through to senior and representative teams. Coaches play an important role in establishing environments in which all of our water polo athletes will thrive in. Being a coach can provide great fulfillment and challenge, while also taking you around the world as part of this global game.

How to become a coach

The first step to becoming a coach is to ensure you meet the Core Requirements, including being a Gold member (at minimum) and obtaining a Working with Children Check. Once completion of the Core Rquirements have been submitted to your respective State Association, there are a range of learning options, as outlined in the Learning and Development Framework below.

What is the Learning and Development Framework?

The Learning and Development Framework provides an overarching picture of the capabiities that all of our coaches and officials need to develop. By doing so, coaches and officials will be able to establish environments in which all of our water polo athletes will thrive in. See below the Learning and Development Framework.

The Framework will guide all of the learning resources that will be built, and made available to our members. There are many ways to tap into the learning resources and opportunities - these include face-to-face workshops, online programs (through The Water Polo Learning Centre), online resources (available via the links below), state based practical workshops and opportunities to share and learn with peers via the WPA Discussion Boards.

Dive in to find out more!

Water Polo Australia has made available a number of written, video and audio resources for free - accessible anywhere, at any time. Click the links below to explore. The Water Polo Learning Centre is also available for coaches looking to progress their learning. Modules are available on a range of topics, and can be accessed here. Coaches are also encouraged to share their learning journeys with their peers via the Discussion Boards on The Water Polo Learning Centre.

Water Polo Learning Centre

	Click the links below to access written resources Quick start guide for new coaches Balance is better FINA Water Polo Rules Developing coaching expertise How to coach young people when life changes Cultivating confidence Seeing athletes as individuals Coaching Behaviours How not to coach Build a better connection with your athletes: What I wish my coach knew The effect of sport on identity formation FINA Technical Water Polo Committee Observations November 2021
	Click the links below to access audio resources On Pool Deck with our People podcasts Sport Australia - Coaching and Officiating Eight essential coaching skills Building training practice around being adaptable What does quality coaching really look like? How to overcome disruption and build more unity Building a new style of leadership
	Click the links below to access video resources FINA Master Classes - Elvis Fatovic What makes a good coach Team Culture - Great men make Great All Blacks Build your inner coach Dr Jim Loehr on Mental Toughness, Energy Management, the Power of Journaling, and Olympic gold medals Pre-season planning A Lens on Coaching and Refereeing - Part 1 (Nicola Johnson) A Lens on Coaching and Refereeing - Part 2 (Nicola Johnson) Preparing for a successful season - what coaches need to know Goalkeeper Masterclass with Liz Scott, Alicia Smith, Jack Lusic and Tomaz Lasic 25 Tips That Will Make You a Better Coach Coaching Drill 1 - Baulk, Slide, Baulk Performance Psychology - Coaches under pressure Pressure training for athletes | Clearinghouse for Sport
	Click the link below to find out what's coming up via our Learning Calendar What's On Learning Calendar New female athlete coaching resources that focus on health, performance
	Click the links below to complete core components, or online learning via the Water Polo Learning Centre Water Polo Learning Centre Core Requirements Sport Australia Community Coaching - Essential Skills course