WPQ June Update

Dear WPQ Associations, Clubs and Members,

As we come to the end of another financial year and still try to navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, we remain quietly optimistic and excited about our pending return to competition in Stage 3 - from Sat 11^th July. We also await further information from State Government in the coming days and weeks regarding a possible re-opening of our borders and hopefully the broadening of some restrictions around gatherings and the hosting of larger competitions and sporting events.

Despite the cancellation of the WPA National Championships this year and the suspension of many competitions, programs and sporting activities since March, a few weeks ago we welcomed the news from Qld School Sport that School Sport State Championships have been rescheduled later in the year. Along with the ongoing but considered relaxation of some restrictions in Queensland, this is positive news but we need to remain continually vigilant regarding social distancing, hygiene and the appropriate management of anyone with flu like symptoms.

Following the WPQ Board meeting last week and ongoing discussions with Water Polo Australia and the other State and Territory Associations, we would like to provide a status update on a number of activities, events and programs that have been reviewed and rescheduled on the WPQ Calendar for the remainder of 2020. Obviously this revised calendar is pending the ongoing status of Covid, health and inter-state travel restrictions.

• The WPA Open Championships which was originally scheduled to be delivered in May 2020, has been cancelled for 2020. The Open Champs was a combination of the Country and Masters events and due to a number of States/Territories since withdrawing from this event, there is limited interest for it to proceed in 2020. Unfortunately that means that our Qld Country Teams will not get to travel or compete in the Nationals this year but we remain confident the event will take place in May 2021.

• WPQ will be running a Masters Event from 6-8 November on the Gold Coast at the Sports Super Centre at Runaway Bay following the cancellation of the Masters Pan Pacs last month. This event will be open to all WPA members and as a trial to build participation in this age group, an allowance has been made by WPA/WPQ to allow non-members to participate in this event as a one-off opportunity.

• With the WPA announcement today of a new structure and program delivery model for the National Age Group Programs (NAGP), WPQ will need to conduct separate State TID/Selection Camps for athletes born 03/04 and 05/06 who were originally selected in Qld State Squads earlier this year. The purpose of these State TID/Selection Camps is to identify those athletes that WPQ can then recommend to WPA for consideration to attend a National Squad Camp during the Sept/Oct School holidays. Please note the date claimer below for these State TID/Selection Camps and individual EOIs will be sent out early next week to all 2020 WPQ State Squad athletes born 03/04 and 05/06 athletes.

DATE CLAIMER – 2020 WPQ State TID/Selection Camps weekend of Sat/Sun 18 & 19 July and also Sat/Sun 25 & 26 July at Stuartholme (afternoon sessions on Saturday’s and morning sessions on Sunday’s).

• The U14 Inter-State Championships scheduled for Hobart will not be proceeding this year, largely due to costs. Instead we have agreed in principle with NSWWP to host a State of Origin Camp/Series for U14s and U16s from Sept 29^th to October 4^th with the likely venue now looking like Alstonville due to the unavailability of pools in Coffs Harbour. We are currently looking at securing affordable accommodation and transport options to keep the costs as low as possible for athletes and their families. However, obviously this will all be dependent on the status of Covid and the lifting of border restrictions. More information will be confirmed in the coming weeks once pools, accommodation and transport has been confirmed. Once this event has been confirmed, WPQ will then liaise with all State Coaches to start to reschedule State Squad Training programs with the view to select three Boys and three Girls U14 State Teams as well as two Boys and two Girls U16 State Teams to attend the State of Origin Camp and match series in Sept/October.

• The Active Queensland Industry Alliance (AQIA) has developed a FREE on-line training course for Club and Association Covid Safety Officers as part of the Qld Sporting Industry Covid Safety Plan requirements. This training will be important for all Clubs and Associations as we prepare for Stage 3 and the commencement of competitions and contact training. All Clubs and Associations are encouraged to share this FREE on-line training course information with all volunteers who are currently assuming the role of Covid Safety Officer or for those considering the role. It is highly likely that Clubs and Associations may require multiple people to take on the role of Covid Safety Officer to adequately manage participants during training and competition over the coming months. Please refer to the AQIA information at the bottom of this communique.

• Below please find the updated WPQ Calendar for the remainder of 2020. Please note that this is subject to change and will be updated as required.