MELBOURNE COLLEGIANS ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (MCAD)
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At the beginning of 2019, the Board of Melbourne Collegians Water Polo Club unanimously agreed on the need for a structured athlete development programme, leading to the re-establishment of MCAD, previously under the direction of Head Coach Slobodan Macic (Montenegro). The philosophy underpinning MCAD is that, in addition to Athletes participating in regular Core (Club) Training once a week, there is an opportunity for Athletes to access a development pathway. This athlete development pathway operates alongside Core Training.
Under the guidance of DALIBOR MASLAN, Victoria’s most experienced international coach and skills specialist, fifteen girls and ten boys participated enthusiastically in the MCAD Pilot Programme. Dalibor has coached at elite levels as the Assistant Australian Women’s Coach (London and Rio Olympics), Victorian Institute of Sport Head Coach (Men and Women) and Head Coach at Drummoyne Water Polo Club. He has also played professionally in Serbia, Italy and Montenegro. Clearly he brings a wealth of water polo experience to MCAD and we are privileged to be able to offer our members (athletes and coaches), the opportunity to train and learn from him within our Club. The pilot programme generated great enthusiasm and was successful and popular, becoming fully-subscribed within days of opening. Athletes and parents have endorsed the value of the programme and Dalibor is happy with the uptake and progress of participants.
Following the success of MCAD in 2019, MCWPC will continue to run MCAD on Monday and Wednesday (Wesley) and Friday (Melbourne High). The Monday and Wednesday programme involves a mixed training session for those born 2006/07 and older. Friday MCAD will initially be a Mixed Open Age session, with the intent to build into two sessions if numbers and skill levels necessitate. A 6.30pm Mixed (born 2007 – 2005) and a 7.45pm Mixed for senior athletes (U18, SL1, SL2).
Ideally, for athletes to be able to access the MCAD programme, they must participate in their allocated Core (Club) training session. Weekly commitment to and participation in Core training is a pre-requisite for eligibility for MCAD enrolment. In Term 1, we encourage Athletes attend all MCAD training sessions. However, it is also possible to enrol in one or two sessions.
Term 1 Programme
Dates: Friday 7 February - Friday 27 March
Session Times:
Monday 6.30pm - 8pm Wesley College St Kilda
Wednesday 6.30pm - 8pm Wesley College St Kilda
Friday 6:30-8:30pm (Mixed Open Age)* Melbourne High School
Mixed Open Age will run for the first week(s) of the programme in order that Dalibor can assess athlete skill level and structure training groups according to age/skill level.