Regional coaches set to select first Academy Competition squads

Coaches from the seven ASA regions are preparing to select their squads for the first Regional Academy Competition.

The Regional Academy Competitions (RACs) are part of ASA England Programmes Water Polo’s new talent pathway.

Three RACs will take place each season, for the top six to ten athletes from each of the seven regions’ Academy Training squads.

The first RAC takes place on the weekend of 26 – 27 November at Walsall Gala Baths. The second is from 25 – 26 February 2017 in Northampton while the third is from 27 – 28 May 2017 in Walsall.

A great step forward to the talent pathway

ASA Water Polo Talent Officer Norman Leighton said: “The Regional Academy Competitions will allow us to play the strongest junior players from across the country against each other at an earlier stage in the talent identification process and I am very excited to see the new format in action.

ASA Water Polo Management Group Performance Pathway Lead Phil Winstanley added: “The new Regional Academy Programme represents a great step forward for the Talent Pathway in providing a seamless link from Clubs to National Squads.

“Following these weekends we will identify a number of athletes for the National Academy and begin the journey to the National Squads.”

While players on the national junior squads are encouraged to train with the regional academies, they are not eligible to play in the RACs.

• Click here to read more information about the latest water polo talent pathway and view the current national squads.