Present situation

• North, North East and Midlands up and running, West area about to start, the South has no sign of starting.

Problems

• Lack of understanding by regions as to why they are there.

Regional Centres were created as a way of getting our youth and academy aged players training under coaches that underpinned the national team principles. Having been selected to attend either the National Academy or to be part of the national Youth team, RTC would allow players to progress on a week by week basis.

We are currently experiencing a situation where some players are being pulled in a number of different directions because of training conflicts between school, club, district and RTC training. Each coach wants their player to perform for them and each thinks that their role is the most important.

As Performance Director it is clear to me what the priority is; it is to the National Team. Those young players must prepare themselves the best way possible for that. The importance and difference of the RTC’s is that they give constant year round training for these players, Clubs train regularly but cannot supply the quality of depth of players at this age group that a regional centre can, similarly schools and district competitions only train for part of the year. If this is takes priority then true growth can never be realised.

I do not suggest that district, club or school competitions be disbanded, far from it. They certainly have a major role in both player and coach development, hat needs to be established is better understanding of the importance of the RTC’s.  Each centres role is not only to develop polo skills but moreover they are laying down the foundation of our training culture that we want to see followed through at the junior and senior levels.  In addition we need review the calendar of events whereby all of the above is possible and doesn’t conflict with one another,    

This is possible, it is happening in the Midlands. Presently they are getting an average attendance of 25 players every Friday night. The Midlands committee are behind the centre and have therefore made sure that district training works alongside and not against the RTC.

Nick Hume
NPD Water Polo