WPQ BOARD UPDATE 

Over the past several months WPQ have closely monitored it’s cashflow to ensure it has met all of it’s current as well as clear a number of overdue accounts. Currently there are only two creditors still outstanding and both of these will clear in the coming months. The State Titles at Chandler were a huge success and well done to all of the teams that participated. WPQ were able to cover all costs associated with the event, cover a portion of the fixed costs and return a small surplus. The opportunity was taken to sell the BLK merchandise in stock at the event as we are currently sourcing a new provider/s for our apparel, merchandise and equipment.  
The Qld Country Championships were held last weekend in Mackay at the new state of art, FINA accredited facility. A total of 11 teams participated with all seven regions represented at the event. The event was a great success largely due to the funding and promotional support received from Mackay Regional Council. WPQ was also able to secure a naming rights partner for the event in Agonswim Australia who are avid supporters of country water polo in Queensland. As a result, the financial position of the event has been favourable for WPQ. WPQ have recorded a surplus for the first six months of the financial year and with close monitoring of income and expenditure believe this will continue for the remainder of the year. Currently budgeting for future events e.g. National titles, NQ Games, Inter-State Championships and Master Pan Pacific Games are being finalised to ensure that the fees charged are sufficient to cover all event costs and overheads whilst keeping the amount to be paid by athletes to a minimum. 
 
WPQ Interim Update – Weds 13th May 

In an effort to continue developing ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation with member Associations, Clubs and key stakeholders, the WPQ Board would like to invite member representatives to attend another WPQ Interim Update meeting at Sports House on Weds 13th May commencing at 6.30pm. For those member representatives that cannot attend, we would be happy to arrange for you to be present by teleconference. More information will be distributed shortly so please place this date claimer in your calendar.  
 
U16 & U19 STATE SQUADS ANNOUNCED 

The U16 and U19 Girls and Boys State Squads and Coaches have now been announced and these groups will commence training from this week. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches who have been selected. Please click here to view a list of the State Squads and Coaches. Squad training will take place for the next 3 weeks with State Teams scheduled to be announced by Friday 13th March. 
Currently there are a number of athletes involved in QAS/Qld Thunder training for the AWL. In addition, a strong contingent of Qld U16 Boys and Girls athletes have been selected in the National U16 Squads to attend a training camp in April in preparation for the FINA U16 World Championships in July and Pan Pacs in NZ. These athletes will train with the QAS during March and April as part of their National program. WPQ extends our congratulations to all these athletes and we wish them all the very best for selection into these National Teams. Due to the overlap between QAS/Qld Thunder and National U16 training commitments, we may not have the full contingent of all Squad athletes at all sessions during the next 3 weeks. However, there will be 2-3 sessions that will be allocated as full Squad trial/training sessions and ALL athletes who are not away attending National representative commitments will be required to attend these full Squad sessions. More information will be distributed in the coming days about these sessions following consultation with the State Coaches. 
 
U14 STATE SQUADS ANNOUNCED 

The U14 Girls and Boys State Squads and Coaches were announced by Monday 24th February and these groups will commence training from next week and during the month of March. Please click here to view a list of the State Squads and Coaches.  A more comprehensive Squad and Team training program for these groups will be confirmed following further consultation with all U14 State Coaches. It is likely that Squad trainings will be conducted during Term 2 as well. The proposed date for the announcement of U14 State Teams is the end of Term 2 around the end of June. State Team training will run during Term 3. There may also be the opportunity of State Squad Training Camps during the June/July school holidays. WPQ will select three U14 Boys and three U14 Girls teams to participate in the U14 Inter-State Championships in Hobart from 28 Sept to 3 Oct. As per last year these will be Maroon, White and Development Teams.  
 
U15, U17, U19 & U25 STATE SQUADS ANNOUNCED 

Later in the year, WPQ will look to select U15, U17, U19 and U25 State Squads. At this stage we are awaiting confirmation from the other State and Territories if they have the capacity to send teams to participate in an Inter-State Championship event from 28 Sept to 3 Oct. Should these State and Territories not be able to field teams for this event, WPQ will play a State of Origin Series against NSW with the likely venue to be the Sunshine Coast. A 2-3 day training camp may also be scheduled prior to this test series with the QAS Coaches and a focus on Coach and Athlete development. Further information on the format of this event will be made available during the coming weeks. 
 
QLD COUNTRY TEAMS 

Following a successful Qld Country Championships held last weekend in Mackay, the Qld Country Teams have now been announced. Two Men’s and two women’s teams have been chosen to participate in the National Country Championships on the Gold Coast from 6-9 May. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches who have been selected. Please click here to view a list of the State Squads and Coaches.  The schedule for the Qld Country Team training sessions will be confirmed shortly by the Coaches.  
 
NORTH QUEENSLAND GAMES 

Registrations are now open for the North Qld (NQ) Games to be held from 10-12 April in Townsville.  
The 2020 NQ games will play host to over 3,600 athletes from 30+ sports with water polo making it's first appearance in the games in 2020. The NQ Games is the largest run multi-sport event in regional Australia and this year will be hosted in Townsville.  The competition will be hosted at the Strand Rockpool and the competition format of the event will be Beach Water Polo 4's (3 players + GK) and players do not have to be registered members of WPQ or WPA as this is a multi-sport participation event and all players and teams are welcome. Teams can enter in the following age groups with mixed teams also permitted across all age groups: 
• Under 14's – Girls, Boys & Mixed (Born 2006/07/08)

• Under 16's - Girls, Boys & Mixed (Born 2004/05/06/07)

• Under 18's - Girls, Boys & Mixed (Born 2002/03/04/05)

• Opens - Ladies, Men’s & Mixed (Born 2001>)

• Masters – Ladies, Men’s & Mixed (Aged 35 & Above) 
The team registration fee will be $500 per team inc. GST (excluding the $20 per person NQ Games registration fee). Please Note: The team registration fee does not include travel or accommodation. 
Team registrations will be limited to a minimum of 6 and maximum of 7 athletes per team.  For further information or to register a team please click on this link to the 2020 NQ Games. 
So get a few friends together, form a school team or even bring the family along for a great weekend of Beach Polo 4s in Townsville over the Easter weekend! 
 
DATE CLAIMER - MASTERS PAN PACS

 
Water polo is back on the program for the 2020 Master Pan Pacs on the Gold Coast. The event will be held at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre from 6-8 November. The Master Pan Pacs is open to anyone over 30 years with the following age groups used as a guide. Men’s & Women’s teams can enter in the following age groups: 
• 30-39 years • 40-49 years • 50 years and over. These age groups are subject to change depending on the number of entries received and further information will be provided as soon as possible. 
It has been a number of years since water polo has been included on the schedule so get some friends together and form a team to enjoy all that the Gold Coast has to offer with 3 days of fun water polo! 
More information will be confirmed in the coming weeks and the registration portal for water polo will open once team entry costs and final details of the event have been confirmed with the Masters Pan Pacs staff. 
 
WHOLE OF SPORT STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT 

As part of the WPA Governance Review project, WPA and the State and Territory Associations have agreed to embark on a whole of sport strategy process. During February and March, facilitated consultation workshops will be held around the country seeking input and feedback from all stakeholder groups. In addition, an on-line survey has been developed to capture information from those members and groups who may not be able to attend the planning workshops. Please click on this link to take part in the WPA planning survey.  The first facilitated workshop in Qld will be held on Monday 9th March at Sports House commencing. All Association and Club/School representatives as well as a cross section of coaches, referees, officials, volunteers, athletes and parents are welcome to attend. An invitation will come out next week with more details about the format of the meeting and how people may take part, ie. Skype, teleconference. 
 
Thank you and please review the Water Polo Qld website and Facebook page for updated information.  
Kind Regards, 
Mel Woosnam 
CEO