Scottish Water Polo Committee Meeting 6th April 2017

Conference Call, 18:00 – 19:00

Minutes (version 0_1 –draft)

MINUTES from meeting on 6th April 2017

Attendees

  • Alan Anderson (AA) – Chair & Secretary
  • Paul Metcalfe (PM)
  • Ross Elder (RE)
  • Gael Drummond (GD)
  • Jen Hardy (JH)

Apologies

  • Neal Rayner (NR)
  • Ian MacCallum (IM)

Other Abbreviations Used

  • Scottish Swimming (SS)
  • North Sea Cup (NSC)

Notes & Actions

  1. Welcome, Apologies and Update & Actions from previous minutes - AA
  2. Apologies received from NRIM.
  3. AA provided an update on actions outstanding from February meeting noted below.
  1. Domestic Competition - PM
  1. SNL 2017
  • Update
  • U16 – this has been happening making good progress.
  • U21 – this is just starting to roll into
  • Senior Leagues confirmed to start in H2 2017

Non-fulfilment of matches

There was an issue when Warrender U16s failed to attend 2 games scheduled for 26/3/17 at the NSA. The U16 League Co-ordinator has prepared a proposal which considers the situation arising and recommends the fining of teams who do not attend SNL matches scheduled at centrally arranged pool time.

The meeting agreed

1)Teams who do not attend or withdraw in advance from matches which have been arranged at centrally booked pool time (to which they are party to the scheduling) will be fined £60, if both teams withdraw they will both be fined £60.

2)The option to fine teams was noted in the initial Competition schedule meeting, it is now to be instigated.

3)As regards Home\Away fixtures, failure to fulfil will also result in a fine; unless both team agree to a rescheduled date, which must be confirmed to the Competition Co-ordinator before the date of the original match.

4)Paul to write to Competition Co-ordinators advising them of enforcement of this ruling, Competition Co-ordinators to advise the competing clubs.

The fixtures and result are listed

  1. Scottish Cup 2017
  • GD advised planning was in place for the finals event
  • Semi-finals will be played by 15th April
  • Referees – names are still outstanding
  • St Andrew University to sponsor MVP for some of the youth finals
  1. Non-affiliation of clubs
  • This matter was raisedas a result of Aberdeen University hosting a tournament and additionally University teams seeking competition prior to their BUCS event. AA re-iterated that our clubs and individual membersshould not be competing against non-affiliated clubs\teams\individuals. Unless explicitly members of SS, the Universities are not affiliated to SS – this is a SS wide issue, not specific to WP, and the current direction is as above, in the event there is any clarification required Elaine MacKenzie, Director of Services, SS should be contacted.
  1. Development

No development report

  1. Senior Coaches Day
  • AA advised NR has issued invitations to and is preparing the agenda.
  1. Senior Coaches Day
  • AA advised he had been informed Hamilton have disbanded as a club of 29/03/17.
  1. Finance update - AA
  2. There are actions outstanding from last meeting.
  1. All invoices for pool hire to end February have been processed. No abnormal expenditure.
  1. JH will review the National Squad Q1 finances with the TMs –Action
  1. AA advised there was a proposal to change the FYE with SS
  1. Technical Officials Discussion- RE
  1. RE advised the Table Officials Club Course with to be reviewed with NR
  1. RE is also to review the referees list with NR; the additional desire is to appoint delegates to assist the development of our younger referees
  1. Polo-Shirts for referees – this will be priced into the cost of future courses; those officiating at the Scottish Cup finals will be issued with polo-shirts; RE & NR to review the list of existing referees who would not have a polo-shirt (following Scottish Cup finals) and recommend to the committee how this is addressed. (i.e. should they be provided with a polo-shirt – this will be dependent on numbers \ finances).

AA has had branded red\yellow cards and whistles priced, and will circulate to the committee for consideration and approval. - Action

  1. RE asked that non-LEN referees be permitted to be appointed for the youth EU Nations events, AA to write to Chair EU nations
  1. Reminder – all requests for referees to be appointed for National team \ squads events should be directed to RE. JH to remind all the National squads. - Action
  1. GBR Update – AA
  2. Home Countries Partnership Water Polo Management Group

AA advised that British Swimming were proposing the creation of a collaboration group to represent the interest of Water Polo.

  1. GBR Boys ’00, LEN Qualification Event, Manchester, May 11-14
  1. Funding for Scottish athletes into GBR squads

The meeting discussed the option to support those Scottish based athletes who were competing for places in GBR squads, acknowledging that they not only have to self-fund these squads but that invariably Scottish based athletes will have additional travel costs. It was agreed

  • Any support should be considered on an annual basis, and would be dependent on the number of athletes competing for places and funding available
  • Only once they had been established into the squads (i.e. not supporting those going for trials)
  • This year there were 3 athletes: Lauren Dundee; Ben Scott: Dominique Zahra. They would be offered £200 support. JH to advise the athletes. - Action
  1. British Championships

AA advised all 3 Scottish Team had played their opening games. This Saturday (8/4) at the RCP all three teams were in action in the 2nd round.

  1. National Teams - JH
  1. Reports

Report attached at end.

  1. AOB
  2. Referee Costs for international tournaments

JH asked if there was any central funding for referees attending with our teams to International tournaments – the meeting confirmed that referees needed to be funded from the Team competing.

NEXT MEETING

  1. Thursday 4th May 2017, Conference Call

Summary of Open Actions

# / Action / Owner / Due / Update
AGM1 / The Development Plan will be circulated to all clubs / AA / End 2016
AGM2 / The Girls Team Manager role will be advertised / JH / Jan ‘17 / Apr ’17 – Jen to meet on Friday
Mar ’17 - Applications havebeen received and are being considered.
AGM3 / NSC - Chair to contact other home nations regarding Scotland hosting junior North Sea Cup in 2017 and to enquire who is hosting the senior competition / AA / Jan ‘17 / Apr ’17
Senior event – still keen to have the tournament. 8th – 9th September would be the favoured time.
Men – Malta or Malaga (Club side)
Junior event – supportive, but little feedback, clashed with GB weekend.
Jen to find out when the teams would like to host the event before we try to find a pool and ask the other nations.
Paul suggested there may be an issue securing a suitable venue, given TX closure.
Mar ’17 - Regarding date 21-22 October. Our teams have advised:
Girls potential clash with GBR ’00 weekend.
Boys have competition following weekend in Lithuania, and concern regarding BWPL dates.
Feb ’17 – contact has been made with Ireland, Wales & Denmark although no decisive responses. Wales have suggested to hold the Senior Event.
AGM4 / Technical Officials - Prepare a role description for the “Technical officials co-ordinator” / AA / Jan ‘17 / Mar ’17 - Outstanding
1701/01 / Finance - YE 2015-16 had been successfully closed off. While overall the WP finances balanced, there was still some offsetting between the 4 National teams. AA will advise on actions to be taken. / AA / Mar ‘17 / Mar ’17 - Outstanding
1701/02 / AA suggested SWP support those athletes who are challenging for GBR representation. JH to collate the list of athletes and suggest a funding model. / JH / Mar ‘17 / Apr ’18 – Agreed it was appropriate to support. Concern that if
Annual Review.
£200 each
Mar ’17 - Outstanding
1703/01 / SNL 2017 Senior - The meeting noted the decision of previous meetings for the Men & Women event not to start until H2 \ September 2017. NR advised some clubs were unclear about this arrangement / PM / Next Meeting 6/4/17 / Apr ’17 –
Clubs aware
Spring League – informal competition.
Mar ’17 – PM will contact league co-ordinators: Women – Vicki Witko; Men – Reuben Bowman and ask them to discuss with the clubs
1703/02 / Club Level Table Officials Course -NR has provided information and RE has reviewed and approved. Presentation and crib sheet for Tutors to use has been developed / NR \ RE / Action immediately – update next meeting / Apr ’17 – outstanding
Also referees list to be reviewed.
Mar ’17 – RE to provide a list of candidate Tutors, and for rollout to begin with immediate opportunities.
1703/03 / PVG & CPO
Check all officials for all National Team squads have (correct) PVG / JH / Next Meeting 6/4/17 / Apr 17 – Charlene looking at
Mar ’17 – AA to discuss with JH
New Actions
1704/01 / SNL2016 - As per March - Men’s league match to determine 2016 winner between Dunfermline and Portobello still outstanding; / AA/PM / May meeting / Apr ’17 - PM \ AA agreed the availability of suitable: pools, referees and the teams other commitments were proving a challenge.
As the 2017 event will not be held until H2 2017, it was agreed to look at dates in May / June.
1704/02 / Finances
Review the National Team finances for Q1 with the Team Manager / JH / May Meeting
1704/02 / Appointment of officials
All requests for referees to be appointed for National team \ squads events should be directed to RE. JH to remind all the National squads. / JH / May Meeting
1704/03 / Funding for Scottish athletes into GBR squads
This year there were 3 athletes: Lauren Dundee; Ben Scott: Dominique Zahra. They would be offered £200 support. JH to advise the athletes. / JH / May Meeting
Actions Closed at meeting

Summary of Decisions

# / Decision / Update

Summary of Information

# / Decision / Update
AGM1 / Clubs are requested to identify an individual who will lead on technical officials. This will include the recruitment, training and support of table officials. / Clubs to Action.

APPENDICES: SUBMITTED REPORTS

National Teams Report

EU Nations 2017

Preparations are underway for the following EU Nations tournaments this year:

Junior Boys / 14-16 April 2017 / Brno, Czech Republic
Men / 19–21 May 2017 / Sczecizin, Poland
Women / 14-16 July 2017 / Pilsen, Czech Republic

The Junior Boys have had recent tournament experience at the 2017 ASA Water Polo U18 Inter Regional Championships in London, placing 7th.

The Men’s team had a very successful training camp in Malaga as preparation and selection of the EU Nations team. The facilities at the pool which has 50m and 25m indoor pools together with an outdoor 50m pool were first class and games with the local Malaga team were a strong element of the camp.

The Women’s team are training hard with selections being made further to the April and May training weekends.

Whilst not attending this year’s EU Nations, the Junior Girls took part in the recent 2017 ASA Water Polo U18 Inter Regional Championships in Blackpool, placing 8th.

National Team Kit

Core team kit items have identified by Jen Hardy and Scottish Swimming. The lead time on items being delivered from British Swimming is currently around 3 months, which is challenging for national squads who cannot make selections within this time frame. Scottish Swimming have been very helpful in trying to ensure that national teams have kit delivered before the EU nations for all squads.

Junior Boys / Each player and member of staff representing will receive a royal blue TYR dri fit t-shirt and polo shirt, funded by Scottish Swimming
Men / Team has been selected, finalising order, part funded by Scottish Swimming
Women / Awaiting team selection, order to be finalised, part funded by Scottish Swimming
Junior Girls / Not attending EU Nations, kit will be required for North Sea Cup

Other Competitions 2017

Junior Boys / 01-02 July 2017 / TBC / Inter Regions U16 (2000+)
Junior Girls / 08-09July 2017 / Grantham / Inter Regions U16 (2002+)
Junior Girls / 26 August-03 September 2017 / Lloret de Mar, Spain / BMWF (2002+ & 2004+)
Junior Boys / 26 August-03 September 2017 / Lloret de Mar, Spain / BMWF (2002+ & 2004+)
Junior Boys / October 2017 / Vilnius, Lithuania / Baltic Cup
Junior Girls / 02-03 December 2017 / Walsall / Inter Regions U14 (2004+)
Junior Boys / 09-10 December 2017 / Walsall / Inter Regions U14 (2004+)

Jen Hardy

National Teams Coordinator

05 April 2017

National Teams Report Follows is a summary report for each of the national teams, covering November and December 2016.

TEAM / TRAINING / COMPETITION / FINANCE
MEN / Training match and session at RCP 14 January 2017
The training began with a match between the BWPL teams of Portobello and Caledonia and was a good chance for the teams to get some much needed gameplay at a high level ahead of forthcoming BWPL second round fixtures. Thereafter the teams carried out a number of set plays and man up drills.
The next few weeks are all full with vital BWPL 2ndround matches and Cup competition. Consequently the next formal training will be at the Malaga camp from 10 to 12.03.17.
Plans are well advanced for the Malaga Camp and a copy of the final programme will be confirmed in due course. Flights, accommodation and meals are booked and the International Permit has been issued. / Further to the Malaga training weekend, coaches will make their decision on the final team to represent the Scotland Men’s team at EU nations in May 2017.
. / The balance of the men’s account stands at £1842.22.
This includes a provision of £500 for the EU Nations deposit to be paid by end February and a £250 float.
While all current invoices have been paid, the team are waiting on the invoices for pool hire at NSA and RCP.
WOMEN / Training Weekend 07 & 08 January 2017
Training sessions were well attended on both days. As well as usual exercises and drills the squad focussed on possession and regaining possession in a game situation.
Saturday’s training was followed by a team dinner which has been suggested for each training weekend to allow the team to spend more time together.
Discussions are underway to organise training with an English club team in the run up to the EU Nations in July
Next training is on 18 and 19 February 2017. / EU Nations 2017 – most of the squad are available for selection. Deposit to be paid, pending approval. / Accounts to be reviewed in February to ensure funds are continuing to cover expenses.
TEAM / TRAINING / COMPETITION / FINANCE
JUNIOR BOYS / Training for all squads has recommenced. The revised diary and the current squad lists have been widely circulated and are also available on the squad’s Facebook page
The Senior men have been asked not to invite Juniors to their sessions where they clash with A squad sessions.
Budget forms for the first four competitions have been submitted – Watford, Eger (March), Brno and Eger (June).
Plans are in progress for the March Junior squad camp in Eger.
Referee Request submitted to Murray / Ross although no selection has been advised to date.
15 minute video highlights of historic matches are now being published the squad’s Facebook page when they become available. Copies of the full match video files are available on request. / The team selected for the 2000+ Inter regions at Watford is –
1. Thomas Cameron (DWPC)
2. Adam Morrison (Aberdeen)
3. Matthew Crighton - Captain (DWPC)
4. Finlay Nesbitt (DWPC)
5. Euan Broatch (DWPC)
6. Craig Stewart (DWPC)
7. Luca Pollock (Warrender)
8. Lewis Hunter (Menzieshill)
9. Fraser Richardson (Hamilton)
10. Adam Heywood (Warrender)
11. Cameron Morrison (Aberdeen)
12. Jake Muir (Menzieshill)
13. Nick Parsons (Menzieshill)
Manager: Andrew Richardson (Hamilton)
Coach: Brian Campbell (DWPC)
Plans are underway for the EU Nations in Brno where Scotland face England and Denmark in the initial group stage. Gareth Twohey is the confirmed referee. / Payments for all Scottish swimming invoices to date have been submitted.
JUNIOR GIRLS / The U18 Scottish Junior Girls Squad has been pre-selected and the first training session of the year with the new players took place on the 15 January 2017. The Squad had the full 25m pool which allowed them to do swim testing and play a game. It was a very constructive start to the season and the girls seemed up to the challenges they will face.
The U18 Squad will train towards the North Sea Cup which usually takes place around September. Pool time has been booked until the end of June. / Training will be supplemented with the domestic competitions and friendly games against various teams. The first of these is a friendly game against St Andrews University on Saturday 21 January 2017 with the U18 Inter-Regionals taking place on 25-26 February 2017. / All invoices received have been paid.