BRISBANE FESTIVAL OF WATER POLO UPDATE - AYWPC & AWL

As Brisbane prepares to host the Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) and Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, Water Polo Australia (WPA) wishes to provide an update to all Clubs, officials and supporters.

The current challenges that continue to still be felt across the country due to COVID-19, with travel restrictions still in place, has required WPA to review planning timelines around marquee events set to be held in Brisbane starting the end of March.

WPA is working closely with venues and local Health Authorities to ensure the events can be delivered in a COVID safe way.  For the 2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships it means that the event will be delivered differently to what competitors and supporters have experienced in the past.

The Australian Waterpolo League is very different to the AYWPC, with limited teams, support personnel as well as limited venues at which the event is held.  WPA is responsible for coordinating flights and accommodation of all attendees and we are working with all the Clubs involved to ensure we are able to minimise the risk but at the same time, do what is possible to ensure the event can go ahead with all teams taking part.

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Water Polo Australia is currently working towards delivering the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Brisbane, Qld from 7-17 April 2021.

We have listened to the members and we know there is a real desire, during these challenging times, to conduct a national championship that can bring together our people to celebrate water polo.  We want to create something for our members to look forward to in 2021.

The health and safety of all event attendees, as well as minimising the travel and financial risk for Clubs and participants is critical to our planning and decision making around this event.

The current challenges around travel have required us to adjust our planning.  First step we have taken is to call for Team Nomination Expression of Interest (EOI) due by 21 February.  This is no commitment, no payment required with the EOI, but it will provide WPA further information to help make our final call on whether the event will proceed.  If you are planning to attend, please complete the Team Nomination EOI. This will allow WPA to determine the draw, pool requirements, referee requirements and build the event in preparation for it to go ahead.

Team nomination fee payments, however, will not be due until 22 March 2021 to give teams and WPA more time to assess the situation before making a financial commitment. 

Finally, the key date to be aware of is March 15, 2021. At this time Water Polo Australia will decide whether the AYWPC goes ahead based on the COVID situation at the time and the level of interest expressed via the EOI process.  Following this announcement if the event should proceed, teams are required to pay the team fee invoice by the 22 March.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What dates are the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships?

• 7-17 April 2021

When will you decide if it goes ahead?

• By 15 March 2021 WPA will confirm if we intend to proceed with the event.  Situations can change quickly, and the event may still be cancelled after this date if required. Information regarding refunds is outlined below should that occur.

What do we do if we have booked accommodation and flights?

• Flights - most airlines now offer 12 to 24 months credit.
• Accommodation - most accommodation providers in Brisbane have offered free cancellation if that cancellation happens outside of two weeks of arrival. That is why we have chosen the 15 March to ensure Clubs and officials have enough time to cancel.
• We would recommend all Clubs and attendees check the terms and conditions on all bookings with their providers.

What about team entries fees, are they refundable?

• Yes, we are delaying teams making a payment for the event until after the decision is made to minimise transactions if the event is cancelled on March 15. 
• In addition to the current WPA Refund Policy (which refers to teams withdrawing of their own volition), please note an additional condition for events in 2021 including the AYWPC.  
  • For events where teams are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs, if the event is cancelled before any games are played teams are entitled to a full refund of the team nomination fee.
  • In the same event, if the event is cancelled after games have commenced, teams will be provided with a pro-rated refund of the team nomination fee based on days played and days lost.
• Please refer to WPA refund policy, click here.

If the event cannot proceed in April, will it be postponed to another date in 2021?

• No. If the event does not go ahead in April it will be cancelled for 2021 due to other calendar and scheduling conflicts.

What are the dates and locations for 2022 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships?

• The 2022 AYWPC will be held in January in Perth, with final dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

How will AYWPC in 2021 differ from previous years?

• A COVID safe plan will be in place with all competitors, officials and spectators to adhere to the guidelines that will be developed in line with local Health Authorities.  
• Some of the COVID safe plans that will be in place and will include (but not be limited to), QR code sign in and out from venues, use of hand sanitizer, social distancing, reduction in venue capacities and more.
• To minimise the risk of any infection spreading, Water Polo Australia will be limiting the mixing of different groups meaning that Teams will not play at all venues but rather be limited to one or two venues. This may also mean that spectators may be restricted in their movements between different venues if the prevailing conditions of the time require this.  This will be developed through the draws.
• Water Polo Queensland are currently running their State Championships successfully implementing a range of COVID safe practices, including as of January 21, the need to wear masks when moving around the precinct and this is working well.

What if I choose not to attend or my Club chooses not to send a team to AYWPC in 2021, will that impact on my child’s future selection chances?  

• No. A child’s chances of future selection are NOT impacted by non-attendance at the AYWPC.
• As per the National Competition Framework, the AYWPC is not a selection event, so attendance or non-attendance has no impact on future selections into any National program. 
• There are NO squads being selected from the AYWPC.  However, as with all competitions played around Australia, if a coach spots a player of potential in a game, they will take notice. This will occur at AYWPC, but this also occurs in many other competitions in pools across the country.

How many teams are required for the event to proceed?

• WPA will consider the number EOI’s when considering whether to proceed with the event or not.   If a particular age division has minimal team nominations and or they are all from one state, it may not be viable or worth running that particular age division. 

What if WPA proceeds with the event but there is an outbreak and borders close during the event?

• The health and safety of all event attendees, as well as minimising the travel and financial risk for Clubs, will form an important part of WPA planning.  WPA will work with all Clubs to ensure local and national travel advice is communicated in a timely manner. 
• For most States, there has been a window of 24 to 48 hours when borders have closed. While responsibility will be on the Clubs to ensure they are across any travel requirements should they need to return home, WPA will be monitoring the situation closely in the lead up to and during the tournament, liaising with local health authorities.
• The risk of the event being abandoned, and home borders closing is real and one that Clubs need to consider when nominating to participate.  With Clubs responsible for their own travel and accommodation, the risk will sit with the Club to manage this situation if it occurs. 
• WPA will assist where we can, but this assistance may be limited as we do not manage the travel plans. 
• Clubs must also consider that any quarantine costs would be the responsibility of the individuals involved and will not be covered by WPA or its insurance policy.
• While this is the absolute worst-case scenario, Clubs must be aware of this risk before committing teams to play.