2011-12 Annual Report - Australian Water Polo Inc

WATER POLO AUSTRALIA 2011/12 ANNUAL REPORT
High Performance
Report
High Performance
Vision
A world class high
performance program
executed through
a collaborative
partner approach
demonstrated by
national teams
achieving sustained
success.
2011/12 was a year for transition and
establishing the necessary foundations for
a successful high performance program.
I was appointed as the High Performance
Manager in January 2012 under the
recommendation of a High Performance
Committee comprising of representatives
from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC),
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Water
Polo Australia, and the respective national
coaches, and charged with the responsibility
of leading the high performance program
into the next Olympic quadrennial.
Leadership of the high performance area
encompassed many activities in the lead up
to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Some
of the key objectives were to;
• Lead the review of the high performance
program and senior national teams
• Establish a revised high performance plan
and vision through until 2020
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders
that fund, support and deliver programs that
support our athlete pathway
• Manage the high performance budget and
financial planning for the next 4-8 years in
line with the high performance plan
• In conjunction with the national coaches
plan, establish and facilitate participation
in international and national training and
competition in preparation for the
Olympic Games
• Establish policies and procedures that
enhance the effectiveness of the high
performance programs
• Facilitate the preparation and organisation
of junior tours
Many of these activities are ongoing and will
continue to form an important part of the high
performance plan which aims to build depth
in the National Team Program, strengthen
the high performance delivery network, and
result in sustainable podium performances at
major international competitions culminating
at the Olympic Games.
The high performance plan outlines seven
priority areas - coaching and officiating,
athletes, daily training environment/athletes
services, performance science and innovation,
program management, competition and
partnerships. Development in these areas will
play an integral role in ensuring Australia’s
future water polo success.
In partnership with the ASC, AIS and relevant
State Institute and Academies of Sport
(SIS/SAS), the high performance program
encompassing; men, women, senior, junior
and youth national squad athletes, is
delivered through a decentralised model.
This approach enables athletes to remain
in their home state or territory for their daily
training environment.
The SIS/SAS, through identified national
training centres (NTC), provide the daily
training environment for current and
targeted national squad athletes. In
addition, selected players gain valuable
international experience by playing for
overseas clubs in professional leagues and
the USA NCAA competition.
Water Polo Australia Limited (WPAL)
continued to provide leadership and
direction to the NTC programs responsible
for delivering daily training environments, as
well as providing athletes with training and
competition opportunities via the national
team programs which prepare athletes for
major international competitions.
The SIS/SAS/SSO network plays a key role in
supporting the national athlete pathway and
throughout the year ahead WPAL will look
to renew partnerships with the SIS/SAS to
continue developing athletes in line with our
high performance plan and vision.
The AIS continued to support our women’s
national team program via a camps based
approach which intensified leading up to
the London Games. The AIS support for our
women’s team is invaluable and the additional
time, resources and financial support provided
over the past 12 months in the pursuit of
Olympic success is greatly appreciated.
Our high performance programs also enjoy
comprehensive international opportunities
and we are indebted to the many national
federations that host our teams on what is
seemingly an annual basis. The majority of
the international calendar is established at the
LEN conference where Water Polo Australia
was represented by Tom Hoad. On behalf
of WPAL I would like to extend our sincere
appreciation for his efforts in negotiating our
entry into tournaments, competitions and
training camps, we are very grateful for the
work he continues to provide in this area.
Performance highlights
• The senior women’s team, the Aussie
Stingers, winning the Canada Cup in
December, Pan Pac’s in January, the
London Test Event in early May, and
finishing 2nd at the World League Finals in
late May.
• The senior men’s team, the Aussie Sharks,
finishing 2nd at the Pan Pac’s in January.
• The junior women’s team finishing 3rd at
the Junior World Championships.
• The junior men’s team finishing 4th at the
Junior World Championships.
Acknowledgements
It is appropriate to acknowledge the support
of all funding and support agencies that
contribute to the high performance program,
namely the ASC who provide the majority of
our high performance program funding. The
ASC have been outstanding in their support
of WPAL throughout the transition over the
past 12 months and their guidance, advice
and support is invaluable.
To the AIS, who have supported the women’s
national team program for many years, your
dedication to the program and, in particular,
your support leading into London Games
was wonderful. To the SIS/SAS, in particular
the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) and the
Australian Olympic Committee who have
financially and otherwise contributed to
the preparation our Olympic teams, we are
grateful for your ongoing support. To the
national senior, junior and youth coaches,
assistant coaches, managers, support staff
and referees, AIS coaches, managers,
support staff and the NTC coaches - thank
you for your dedication and support given to
our athletes.
I look forward to working with the water polo
community and our many supporters as we
embark on the next phase of our journey in
the pursuit for world-class success.
Tom Hill
High Performance Manager
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