WPQ Update

Published Sat 25 Jul 2020

Water Polo Queensland are pleased to report that the ‘Return to Play Strategy’ is progressing well throughout the State. A number of Associations and Clubs have commenced or are planning to training programs, winter competitions and development clinics which is wonderful to see. The Polo 5s Senior Metro competition kicked off last week with a record number of men’s & women’s teams. Approximately 40% of the composition of these teams are past players who are returning to the sport having not played for some time which is very encouraging. The BWPI junior competition also commenced last week at the Valley with many players excited to get back in the water!

WPQ is also very excited to announce that we have partnered with NewsCorp who will provide Live Streaming of our competitions, events and programs over the coming months. The first Live Streaming opportunity will occur next week during the Polo 5s Metro competition at All Hallows and will continue for remaining 5 weeks of this competition rotated between the men’s & women’s games each Monday and Tuesday night. NewsCorp may also look to live stream the State of Origin matches in Alstonville and Lismore as well as the finals of the BWPI competition. WPQ are currently negotiating live streaming of other events and competitions which we hope to confirm in the coming weeks. This is a very exciting opportunity for water polo across Queensland as NewsCorp currently have approximately 180 000 subscribers who can access digital content and hopefully our members will also get on board with subscribing so they can view these water polo competitions and events through the NewsCorp digital platform.

There is a lot of important content in this update so I will provide a summary of the key items below and then you can scroll down to the relevant section for more information.

State Team Program and State of Origin Camp/Series
Active Restart Infrastructure Recovery Fund (ARIRF) for Associations and Clubs
Blue Card changes and updated laws for volunteers and paid workers.

1. STATE TEAM PROGRAM & STATE OF ORIGIN CAMP/SERIES

As many of you may be aware, WPQ have been conducting TID/Selection Camps the past 2 weekends for Born 03/04 and Born 05/06 athletes for the purpose of selecting athletes to recommend to WPA to attend a ‘Launch to LA Camp’ during the Sept/Oct holidays where WPA will select National Squads for the next 12 months.

In addition, and to compensate for the cancellation of the WPA National Championships and U14 Inter-State Championships, WPQ and NSWWP also agreed a few months ago to conduct a State of Origin Series/Camp from Sept 29 to Oct 4 with the venue now being confirmed as Alstonville and Lismore. Initially we agreed to send teams in 14&U (3 boys & 3 girls teams) and 16&U (2 boys & 2 girls teams), however, NSWWP would also like us to send 17&U Teams as well (1 boys & 1 girls team) which we have agreed to do. At this stage the State of Origin Camp/Series is still proceeding, however, as the situation with Covid continues to evolve and is ever changing, we will obviously be dictated by the decisions of State Governments and Health Departments regarding gatherings, events and inter-state travel.

At present, the main challenge for both Qld and NSW is that the State of Origin and ‘Launch to LA Camp’ have been scheduled at the same time as this period is the only week that the Qld and NSW school holidays overlap. This means that both States will essentially be without their top players as they will most likely be attending the WPA ‘Launch to LA Camp’.

ATHLETE EOIs

Considering we are likely to lose a number of athletes from the 14&U and 16&U Squads as well as Born 03 athletes, the WPQ Board have agreed to call for EOIs from Associations, Clubs and Schools to supplement the number of athletes already selected into State Squads earlier this year. We have requested Associations, Clubs and Schools to nominate athletes that they feel should be considered for inclusion in the State Squads to attend the State Team selection trials. They are required to submit this information to WPQ by COB Tues 28^th July. The State Coaches/Selectors for each age group, will then consider this new list of athletes and confirm which athletes should be added to the existing State Squads in the following age groups.

14&U (Born 06 & 07)
16&U (Born 04 & 05)
17&U (Born 03)

Please Note: WPQ may consider selecting some Born 02 athletes from the initial 19&U State Squad selected earlier this year should there not be enough Born 03 athletes that make themselves available for selection.

WPQ will send out invites to any new State Squad members who are added to the squads by COB Weds 29^th July. Please review the dates and schedules below if you child/athlete has been selected in or is added to the State Squads.

STATE SQUAD & TEAM TRAINING SCHEDULE

As we have now called for additional EOIs for athletes to be added to the 14&U, 16&U and 17&U State Squads, WPQ must now afford all athletes in these State Squads the opportunity to attend trials to be considered for selection in the State Teams. We have booked the following weekends as State Team TID/Selection trials and also proposed State Team Training with some of the times to be confirmed as this may depend on Coach/Assistant Coach availability.

Please Note: Below is the schedule for State Team Selection Trials to be held on the weekends of 1/2 and 8/9 August. For those athletes who have attended the TID/Selection Camps during the past 2 weekends to be considered for selection to attend the WPA to attend a ‘Launch to LA Camp’, attendance at the State Team Selection Trials is OPTIONAL for you as Coaches/Selectors have already reviewed your performance. However, if you would like to attend then you are most welcome but we will need to know numbers attending each session. WPQ will send all current State Squad members an email on Monday 27^th July asking you to confirm your attended at these State Team Selection Trials.

The State Team Training Program outlined below is a draft at this stage until we confirm with all Coaches/Assistant Coaches their availability and preferred format for their State Team training sessions. This schedule will be confirmed and communicated to all athletes in the coming weeks but please note the dates at this stage.

Date	Activity	State Squad/State Team	Times	Venue
Sat 1 & Sun 2 August	State Team Selection Trials Uniform sizing	State Squads	10am-12pm Sat & Sun 1-4pm Sat & 3-5pm Sun 2-4pm Sat & Sun 2-4pm Sat & 10am-12pm Sun Times TBC Times TBC	14&U Girls – Langlands 14&U Boys – Yeronga 16&U Girls – Stuartholme 16&U Boys – Bris Boys Grammar 17&U Girls TBC 17&U Boys TBC
Sat 8 & Sun 9 August
Friday 14^th August	Announcement of State Teams
Sat 15 & Sun 16 August	State Team Training 6-7 weeks	State Teams	Times TBC	Venues TBC
Sat 22 & Sun 23 August
Sat 29 & Sun 30 August
Sat 5 & Sun 6 Sept
Sat 12 & Sun 13 Sept
Sat 19 & Sun 20 Sept
Sat 26 & Sun 27 Sept

Now that the State of Origin Series will be held at the same time as the WPA ‘Launch to LA Camp’ and also includes the 14&U age group as well as an 17&U age group, this has meant that some Coaches may not be available or that double ups have now occurred with some Coaches/Assistant Coaches across age groups. This may require a reshuffle of some of the Coach and Assistant Coach appointments for some age groups. WPQ are currently working through this with the relevant Coaches and Assistant Coaches and we will confirm this within the next 2 weeks. These Coaches and Assistant Coaches may still be involved in the State Team Selection Trials but the actual Coaches and Assistant Coaches of the respective State Teams may change slightly from those appointments that were made at the start of 2020.

Thank you for your patience and understanding of our efforts to try to give all Athletes and Coaches due consideration for selection and the opportunity to represent Queensland at the 2020 State of Origin Camp/Series. More information will be distributed in the coming weeks as it is confirmed.

2. ACTIVE RESTART INFRASTRUCTURE RECOVERY FUND (For Associations & Clubs)

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ACTIVE RESTART INFRASTRUCTURE RECOVERY FUND

Good morning,

The Queensland Government is supporting up to 3000 eligible sport and active recreation organisations with a new funding program to encourage Queenslanders to return to play.

The Active Restart Infrastructure Recovery Fund (ARIRF) provides organisations with up to $20,000 to undertake minor upgrades, repairs and maintenance work at their facilities or purchase equipment to help re-engage Queenslanders in physical activity.

What funding is available?

There are two categories of funding:
Category 1 – projects up to $5,000
Category 2 – projects between $5,001 and $20,000

What can it be used for?

Equipment to:

deliver activities/programs
assist in facility maintenance
deliver events and fundraising opportunities
deliver new activities/modified programs
hire to community
reduce organisational costs

Minor works to:

repair or maintain infrastructure
create better quality spaces
provide safe and secure environments
improve accessibility and use of the infrastructure
provide modified facilities
reduce organisational costs

The program is part of the Queensland Government’s $51.3 million Sport and Recreation COVID SAFE Restart Plan.

Applications close at 5pm, Friday 7 August 2020.

For more details, including the program guidelines and submitting an application, go to https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/active-restart-infrastructure-recovery-fund

And a reminder:

Fair Play Vouchers

The new round of Fair Play Vouchers is currently open. Parents, carers or guardians can apply for a voucher valued up to $150 for their child, which can be used towards sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees with registered activity providers. For more information, go to https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/fairplay

Return to Play

We know our sport and active recreation volunteers are doing a great job to get their activities up and running again. To help, check out the resources available at https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/roadmap-to-easing-queenslands-restrictions/sport, including the Return to Play Guide for sport, recreation and fitness industries and the applicable Industry Plans.

Need help?

For assistance with any of the above, or to discuss a potential funding application under the ARIRF program, please contact Sport and Recreation staff at:

Rockhampton - 07 4936 0510
Townsville - 07 4722 5381
Emerald - 07 4991 0830
Mackay - 07 4999 8520
Mount Isa - 0436 834 036
Email - northernsportrec@npsr.qld.gov.au

This email was sent by Sport and Recreation | Northern Service Area, Email: northernsportrec@npsr.qld.gov.au, Phone: 07 4936 0510 to ceo@waterpoloqld.com.au

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3. BLUE CARD CHANGES & UPDATED LAWS

Is your organisation ready for the new blue card laws?

New blue card system laws will take effect from Monday 31 August 2020.

It is important that organisations engaging people (volunteers or paid employees) in child-related work know about the changes that are coming and prepare for them.

No Card, No Start

In the past, paid employees have been allowed to start working with children while their blue card application was being processed. The new laws mean that, from 31 August 2020, paid workers must have a blue card (not a pending application) before they can work with children.

Volunteers, trainee students and people operating a business are already subject to No Card, No Start laws.

If your organisation employs blue card holders, this means that you will be prohibited from employing a person in child-related work unless:

the person holds a valid blue card and
you have linked the person’s blue card to your organisation.

Changes to the application process

To support the introduction of the No Card, No Start laws, there are new online services available:

people will be able to apply for their blue or exemption cards online
organisations can manage their blue card records more easily through the Organisation Portal.

Anyone who can't access the online systems can still apply using paper forms. New paper forms will be available on 31 August.

Hands using laptop and phone

Other changes to the law

Renewals

Currently when a volunteer, student or business operator renews their blue card 30 days before their actual expiry date, we allow them to continue to work—even if we haven’t issued their new blue card by the time their previous card expires.

From 31 August, card holders will be able to continue to work in paid employment, volunteer, run a business or undertake a student placement as long as they submit a renewal application before their current card expires.

If a card holder does not apply to renew their card before it expires, they will be subject to the No Card, No Start laws and will not be able to continue work until a new blue card has been issued.

Exemption cards

Another change is that exemption cards will now expire after 3 years. From 31 August, new exemption cards will also carry a photo of the card holder.

Existing exemption cards will remain valid until 31 August 2023 and can be renewed at any time until that date. If they are not renewed, they will be cancelled.

Exemption card holders can start working with your organisation as soon as you have linked them to your organisation.

Changes in criminal history

From 31 August, card holders will not be required to tell their organisation if there has been a change in their police information, and organisations will no longer need to tell us. Instead, card holders and applicants must immediately tell Blue Card Services or risk a maximum penalty of $13,345.

We will continue to notify organisations of a change in police information, where appropriate.

Restricted persons and restricted employment

The new laws will restrict certain people from relying on current exemptions to work with children, in some circumstances.

In addition to the existing penalties for individuals, it will be an offence for a ‘restricted person’ to start or continue in ‘restricted employment’. It will also be an offence for an organisation to employ or continue to employ a ‘restricted person’ in ‘restricted employment’ if they know (or should reasonably know) that they are a restricted person.

Find out how this could affect your organisation on our website.

New frequency test

After 31 August, people won’t need a blue card if they don't work or volunteer with children for more than 7 days in a calendar year. If the child-related work is more than 7 days, they will need a blue card.

There is no minimum frequency for people who run a regulated child-related business.

The 7-day frequency test will replace all other frequency tests. Find out more about the frequency test.

Requirement to keep notices

In the past, all card holders were required to keep the positive notice letter that came with their card. From 31 August, this will no longer be a requirement.

Better security

People who apply after 31 August 2020 will be issued with a card with their photograph on it. This will add an extra measure of security to each blue or exemption card.

We're also changing the way we confirm the identity of people applying for blue and exemption cards. Until now, organisations have been responsible for checking and confirming the identity of applicants. From 31 August, we will confirm an applicant's identity through a service with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

If someone joins your organisation and they already have a card, you will still need to satisfy yourself that the person in front of you is the person on the card. For example, you could check the photo on the card against another form of photo ID.