Coaching
All Water Polo teams need coaches - from junior Clubs through to senior and representative teams. Coaches play an important role in establishing environments in which all of our water polo athletes will thrive in. Being a coach can provide great fulfillment and challenge, while also taking you around the world as part of this global game.
How to become a Coach
Step 1: Become a Water Polo Australia Member through the Member Pool. To become a Coach, you'll need to become a Gold Member.
Step 2: Log in to the Water Polo Learning Centre and start your learning journey.
Step 3: Accreditation courses are made up of core components (e.g. Working with children checks), online modules via WPA’s Learning Centre and practical tasks facilitated by your State Association. Once completion of the Core Rquirements have been submitted to your respective State Association, there are a range of learning options, as outlined in the Learning and Development Framework below.
Water Polo Coaching Personas
Community Foundation
This learning style is designed for individuals who are new to coaching or water polo and want to develop foundational skills and concepts. It is ideal for parents and young volunteers introducing children to the sport, as well as coaches involved in Learn-to-Swim programs, Flippa Ball, or school-based water polo teams seeking an introductory understanding of the game. Suitable for participants of all ages, this approach emphasizes a basic understanding of water polo. It aligns with World Aquatics’ “Learn, Play, Ball” initiative, focusing on teaching fundamental skills and essential knowledge of the sport.
Community Participation
This learning style is tailored for individuals with little experience in coaching water polo. It is ideal for parents who want to support their children’s team, coaches working in entry-level programs such as Primary Schools, Flippa Ball, and Learn-to-Swim instructors seeking to broaden their expertise by incorporating water polo skills.
Development Foundation
This learning style is designed for individuals with basic water polo knowledge and foundational coaching skills, such as those who have completed the ASC’s Community Coaching Skills Coach Course. It is ideal for aspiring coaches aiming to lead local or school-based teams, teachers and coaches involved in school water polo programs.
Development Participation
This learning style is tailored for individuals with a moderate understanding of water polo. It is well-suited for teachers and coaches leading school or school representative teams, club coaches working with players across all age groups, and experienced players contributing to clinics, camps, or courses.
Development Performance
This learning style is designed for coaches seeking advanced knowledge and skill development. It is ideal for club or school coaches aiming to refine their expertise, coaching coordinators managing coaching programs, coaches of age-group representative teams, senior or A-grade club coaches, and state coaching directors responsible for high-level coaching and program management.
Advanced Performance
This learning style is designed for experienced club or school coaches seeking to deepen their expertise and mentor other coaches. It is ideal for coaching coordinators responsible for managing and developing coaching staff, coaches leading representative teams at all levels, senior club and Uni Games coaches, and state coaching directors overseeing high-performance programs and coach development.
Elite Performance
This learning style is tailored for elite-level coaches dedicated to high-performance water polo coaching and development. It is designed for state coaching directors managing high-performance and development programs, Australian Water Polo League (AWL) coaches, National Institute Network (NIN) coaches, National Age Group Program (NAGP) coaches, Universiade and international team coaches, and professional or career coaches committed to advancing the sport.
Elite High Performance
State coaching directors overseeing high-performance and development programs. Australian Water Polo League (AWL) coaches. National Institute Network (NIN) coaches. National Age Group Program (NAGP) coaches. Universiade and international team coaches. Professional or career coaches dedicated to high-level water polo coaching and development.
Learning and Development Framework:
What is the Learning and Development Framework?
The Learning and Development Framework provides an overarching picture of the capabiities that all of our coaches and officials need to develop. By doing so, coaches and officials will be able to establish environments in which all of our water polo athletes will thrive in. See below the Learning and Development Framework.
The Framework guides all of the learning resources that are built, and made available to our members. There are many ways to tap into the learning resources and opportunities - these include face-to-face workshops, online programs (through the Water Polo Learning Centre) and state based practical workshops.
Quick Start Guide for New Coaches
QUICK START GUIDE FOR NEW COACHES
Dive in to find out more!
The Water Polo Learning Centre is also available for coaches looking to progress their learning. Modules are available on a range of topics, and can be accessed here.