QUEENSLAND ATHLETES IDENTIFIED TO ATTEND WATER POLO AUSTRALIA ‘LAUNCH TO LA’ CAMP

QUEENSLAND ATHLETES IDENTIFIED TO ATTEND WATER POLO AUSTRALIA ‘LAUNCH TO LA’ CAMP

Water Polo Australia (WPA) and Water Polo Queensland (WPQ) are excited to name the Queensland Athletes who have been identified to attend the WPA “Launch to LA” Camps to be held in Kawana during the September/October School holidays.

WPQ would like to congratulate the athletes listed below who have been selected in the Youth (Born 03/04) and Cadet (Born 05/06) groups:

WPQ CEO Mel Woosnam said, “The athletes attended talent identification trials over two weekends and were put through a series of testing protocols and assessed against a set of criteria developed by WPA as well as playing a series of games. On behalf of WPQ, we would like to congratulate all athletes that have been identified to attend the WPA ‘Launch to LA’ Camps to then be considered for selection into the National Squads. This is a testament to the dedication, hard work and commitment of the athletes as well as their parents, families and coaches. We wish them all the best at the WPA ‘Launch to LA Camps’ and hope all athletes benefit from this wonderful experience and opportunity”.

Water Polo Australia CEO, Richard McInnes said “The revised National Age Group Programs recently announced by WPA and the State Associations, will see athletes identified through State talent identification process involving the Clubs, States and SIS/SAS, which is to overcome the absence of the National Championships in 2020. Water Polo Australia congratulates athletes Identified to be part of the National ‘Launch to LA’ Camps that are proposed to be held in September/October with the opportunity to learn from our national coaches and staff and train with athletes from across the country”.

"It has been great to see the number of athletes that have taken part in the State Talent Identification camps and we look forward to working with those selected. To those athletes who missed out this time, there will be more opportunities to be part of the national program, with all squads to be reviewed annually. We are very aware that athletes develop at different rates and it is critical that we have multiple entry and exit points to our talent development framework"

The WPA ‘Launch to LA’ Camps will coincide with the State of Origin Camp/Series between Queensland and New South Wales. Queensland athletes selected to attend the WPA ‘Launch to LA’ Camps will not be able to attend the State of Origin Series and therefore will not be required to attend the State Team Selection Trials over the next two weekends. The State of Origin series is an opportunity for the next tier of athletes to gain some development and competition exposure.

WPQ will contact all athletes directly to advise them of the training program that will be implemented to assist them in preparing to attend the WPA ‘Launch to LA’ Camps.

Obviously the WPA ‘Launch to LA’ Camps and State of Origin Camp/Series both scheduled for September/October are subject to travel restrictions being appropriate, however, we are working on contingency plans in the event that these Camps cannot go ahead. It is highly likely that WPQ will still be in a position to conduct a State Team Training Camp with all Queensland athletes during the September/October school holidays. As you can appreciate this situation is changing daily and we will make a final decision in mid-August on direction from the State Government and Health Departments.

Further information regarding the WPA “Launch to LA” Camps will be sent to individual athletes by WPA.