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DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS
Melbourne Collegians take great pride in our Development Program. This has established
us as the largest Club in Victoria and certainly the most successful Club. We have
a long history which is underpinned by a commitment to developing players to their
full Water Polo potential as well as creating an environment that develops other
important traits such as leadership, working as a team player, respect and sportsmanship.
Some players will represent Australia but that is not the Club’s only aim in the
development of our Club members.
We currently have a number of players in Australian
squads and teams and all players started in our Under 12 program. We do expect members
to be able to swim however some of the Tadpoles may initially struggle in the deep
pool. They are trained in the shallow pool at Xavier and can venture into the deep
from time to time until ready to play Under 12’s.
UNDER 12/14
The Under 12’s and Under 14’s
train on Saturdays and play on Sundays Term 4 and Term 1. Training comprises skill
training and many practice games. In Term 1 we run an Under 14 program, training
3-4 times per week leading up to the National Club Under 14 Tournament held each
year over the Easter break. Many of our Under 13 and Under 14 players are also extended
by playing in the Under 16 VWPI competitions.
UNDER 16
The Under 16 athletes play in the
VWPI competitions and can also participate in an Under 16 program which prepares
players for the National Club Under 16 Tournament held in the September/October
break. This is in addition to the regular Club training. Many of these players are
extended by playing up in Under 18 and Senior grades.
UNDER 18
The Under 18 level comprises
some high level players who may be already be members or vying for Australian teams/squads
as well as more social players who may be using the competition to prepare for School
games. The high level athletes would be playing in the Senior teams and training
within the VWPI Athlete Development program (ADP).
The ADP is run by VWPI and as
part of this some athletes are members of the VIS. Athletes are chosen from as young
as 12 and receive extra training in parallel to Club training as they advance along
the pathway to possible National selection.
We have many players who need to be
extended beyond their age group teams. They often can and should play more than
one game per night. This is vital in their advancement however we are well aware
of the need to balance all their activities and even though they may wish to play
many games per night we watch this closely particularly around exam time.
The Club
runs a December Holiday Clinic for Club members over 5 days just prior to Christmas
run by Senior Club members.
COACHING & REFEREEING
As part of the development process we encourage and
mentor all of our members to coach and to referee our younger teams. This helps
develop other skills as well as create a real Club camaraderie throughout all age
groups.
The Development Program starts with the very young and is coordinated by
the Club’s coaching panel with the help of the other coaches.
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