Scottish Water Polo Annual Report 2016-17
Scottish Water Polo has continued with steady development in 2017 with over 893 competing members in 2017 and a number of new clubs joining the competitive environment. The West District in particular has made strides in establishing clubs and competition.
Domestic Competition
The Scottish Championships finals were held in Dundee Olympia for a third year. The U16 Mixed was won for the first time by Stirling; the U19 Girls, U18 & U21 Boys were won by Dunfermline WPC; Edinburgh University won the Women’s event, and Portobello ASC won the Men’s competition.
The timetable for the domestic season for Men & Women has been changed to assist with scheduling and the participation of the University teams, the leagues will run 2017-18. The junior leagues U21 Men and U16 mixed have progressed in 2017. An inaugural U18 girls league was a great success with 7 clubs competing.
Our top Men and Women club sides continue to compete at the highest level in Britain: in the British Water Polo League & British Championships.
International Competition
Our Senior Teams had disappointing results in their main event, the EU Nations Cup with the men finishing 11th out of 12 and the women 9th out of 10. There was no North Sea Cup held this year.
The nation age group teams have again competed in a number of international and development tournaments, while experience is being gained for these athletes, the results are not materialising.Our girl’s teams been less prolific in competing, but there is a growing number of athletes and clamour for an increased programme in 2018.
All of these trips and the preparation were funded by the athletes themselves.
GBR activities have been constrained by a lack of engagement from British Swimming, the organisation has continued to be performed by self-electedManagement Group formed by Home Nation representatives.
Dominique Zahra was selected for the GBR U17 team who competed in the qualification events for the U17 European Championships, and Lauren Dundeewent one better playing in the U17 European Championships in Serbia, with the team qualifying for the World Championships in 2018.
Development–Technical Officials
Focus on technical officials resulted in an increased number of Delegates, Referees and Table Officials, we now have 91 qualified referees.
2018
We will continue to build stronger sustainable clubs and enhance the experience of our coaches and officials to perform and operate at a higher level, and so support our national squads.Domestically we will evolve and enhance our competitions and promote the positive aspects of the sport.
Alan Anderson, Chair SWPC, 09/11/2017