Website Updated - 20 May 2013 Take a Look

• Congratuations to the ACT Men's and Women's teams that won gold at the Australian Country Championships:http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/news-media/news/news-article/article/2013/may/australian-country-cships-day-1-nsw-men-dominate/
• Congratulations to Tim Reeves for his selection in the Australian Born 96 team to tour Europe in August: http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/news-media/news/news-article/article/2013/may/australian-born-1996-team-announced-for-european-tour/
• Congratulations to Lewis Groves and Abby Fister for their selection in NSW 14s teams for 2013!
• Junior Age Groups same as last year (only one year younger!) That is:
• 14 and under - born 1999 and later
• 16 and under - born 1997 and later
• Remember it is the age that you turn in the year that the summer season finishes that is important, in this case 2013
• Junior 5 a side Rules Posted in ACT Rules/Manuals/Policies
• JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN - Kim Terrell - kimterrell@netspeed.com.au Remember it is the responsibility of the player/club concerned to inform the chairman if they intend to accept or contest the charge within 48 hours of the game. Failure of the referees to make a report will not exempt the player. If a referee fails to make a report after signalling that a player is excluded for the match, ACT Water Polo will follow up and obtain reports regardless. Therefore, clubs should assume that a player excluded from a match cannot play until the matter is resolved. Full Rules under - ACTWPI Rules/Manuals/Policies
• Reminder of Competition Rules - Two Referees or NO GAME
• UNDERSTANDING WATER POLO - A guide for Beginners and Parents in "Score Sheet & Other Docs"
• How to Run the Score Table in "Score Sheet and Other Docs" - See info in "LATEST NEWS & INFO"
• AWPI Referees' Blog for referees and other officials in our sport on: http://awpiwaterpoloreferee.blogspot.com/

Water Polo: Fun, Safe, and Water Confidence!

Water Polo is in reality a form of rugby played in the water. In fact the first rules referred to the sport as 'water rugby' or 'water football'. It was never designed to be a non-contact sport as some people believe.

However, because it is played in water it is difficult to sustain an injury in water polo as any contact is softened by the water. While all the footage of pulling swimmers etc. may look rough, dryland sportspeople sustain far more serious injuries than water polo players.

When played and refereed properly the game mostly relies on passing skills, quick reflexes and a quick mind- together with a degree of swimming ability and strength. Kids and adults alike have fun with their teamates involved in an activity that builds strong bodies and great friendships.

Plus, after you get used to the basics of the game, the wrestling, swimming and treading water for longish periods in training and games instills water confidence and a certain amount of drown proofing!. Imagine how more confident will you be in a strong surf or if you need to help someone else in difficulty after you have played a game of involving tackling players (only if they are holding the ball), being tackled yourself and staying up to see what is happenning.

Our game can be played at all levels- you certainly don't have to be a supreme athlete to play second grade (just come down to the pool on Wednesday nights and see for yourself!). By the way, there are unlimited substitutions, so you can play for brief periods, stick your hand up and be substituted-

SO WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO!!!

COMPETITION BASICS - All Competitions

Be sure to check out information, draws, procedures etc. for the various competitions on the top of the website.

ACT Water Polo is keen to see an efficient and enjoyable competition run for the benefit of all. Therefore please:

• Appoint a team manager (not the coach) like every other sport and get organised
• Be on time
• Fill cards out with full names, no nicknames - the manager should do this not wet players!
• Ask people if you can help out
• Volunteer for scoring or refereeing - and if you are refereeing make sure your name is on the card or you can't get paid!
• If you are excluded for the match other than on three normal pesonal fouls there is a process. You have 48 hours to accept the charge and have one match taken off the penalty or you can ask for a judiciary committee meeting. If you do nothing it is assumed that you accept the charge. *
• Smile and try to see the other person's point of view if you or they look cranky!
• Try to understand that in water polo a good referee gets the calls right about 60% of the time - as frustrating as that is! Good players get on with it and take advantage of the breaks when they come!
• Have fun!

* - Check out the judiciary procedures under "ACTWPI Manuals/Rules/Policies" on the left of the website.

WELCOME TO ACT WATER POLO !

Water Polo- the first Olympic team sport!

Water Polo is a great fun game which can be played at any level. Social players only need to be able to stay afloat and throw a ball. Top level players need to be fit, strong and have good coordination.

ACT WATER POLO WELCOMES NEW PLAYERS OF ANY AGE OR STANDARD

.... click 'Find a Club' under 'More Menus' at left to join a club.

This site will keep you informed of what's going on-  add us to your favourites and check back often.

ACT Water Polo strongly supports the good sports principles for players, coaches and spectators- see link at right.

IMPORTANT INFO ON TEAM NOMINATIONS

IMPORTANT INFO FOR CLUBS ON NOMINATED PLAYERS - PLEASE USE THESE PROVISIONS TO HELP GROW OUR COMPETITION.

Where a club enters 2 or more teams in any senior grade they must nominate the 5 best players in each team. These players can only play for one of the teams. The other players may float between teams where needed, to give them extra game time and/or to prevent forfeits until they have played 30% of the possible games in any one team. This is referred to as the 'Best 5' rule.

This rule aims to give clubs the confidence to try to enter extra teams knowing that players can shift between the teams, while at the same time maintaining some uniqueness in each team. It is an important step in encouraging the clubs to grow our competition... we encourage clubs to utilise these provisions when planning their teams.

Where a club enters an A grade team at any level they must nominate their 'Best 7' in that team. These players cannot play a lower grade.

... These provisions are explained in detail under 'competition rules' and 'manuals rules & policies' at left.