Water Polo Talent Centre

The Talent Centres launched in January 2023 and have been a huge success, offering elite coaching to players across England for the U14 and U16 age groups.

Those selected will receive weekly or fortnightly coaching from our team of experienced international coaches. Centres will follow an agreed national syllabus designed to equip players with all they will need to thrive on the international level in the future.

Our key objective is to improve performance of England and Great Britain sides in international competition. To do that the first goal is to improve the frequency of high-quality training and coaching that is available to our youngest talent, which in turn will drive improved competitive international results.

New centre opening

As part of our long term plans to extend the Talent centre initiative, a new Talent Centre will be opening in the East from September 2023. This centre will be based at Haberdashers boy’s school and the appointed Head Coach for the centre is the experienced Edi Brkovic. Please see below information for how to sign up for a trial.

International U14 competition

We are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for the U14 Talent Centre teams to enter an international tournament which promises to provide valuable experience playing against international opponents as well as a fantastic team bonding opportunity.

The tournament will take place in Spain from the 1st- 5th January 2024 and will cost approximately £800, this cost has been calculated at today’s costs based on forecasted levels of interest. We hope to bring costs down but it’s possible that costs may go up depending on flight costs. A £200 deposit will be requested that will need to be paid by September 30th.

For players to be eligible for selection they must be a member of a Talent Centre or joining a Talent Centre in September and born in 2010 or later. Expressions of interest will be sought using the link below so don’t miss your chance to be selected for this new initiative.

Age groups

Each summer as the athletes progress, the oldest age group will graduate from the Talent Program to be replaced by a new age group.

This summer the 2007 age group will graduate and therefore the session age groups in September 2023 will become the following:

• U16 Session- 2008 & 2009 born players
• U14 Session- 2010 & 2011 born players

Players born in 2008 who are selected to form part of the Great Britain squad will not be expected to be a part of the Talent Centre Program at the same time.

Existing players will not have to retrial unless otherwise told by their Talent Centre Head Coach.

National talent centre locations

Our five talent centres are located in Bolton, Hucknall, Croydon, Borehamwood, and Bristol with full details of the locations below.

The Talent Games

In the winter, players will gather for a tournament with a twist. Players will be selected from each centre, to compete in mixed teams, giving them an opportunity to play with peers from across the country. The U14 tournament will be the Duke of Cambridge Cup run by our partners at ESSA, whilst the U16 tournament will be run as a festival by our Talent Centre Program coaches.

Following the Easter and Summer terms our five talent centres will compete at the Talent Games, an opportunity for players to play at the highest level possible for this age group in England. Players will also take part in both pool and classroom education workshops with invited deliverers before competing to be crowned National Talent Centre Champion.

See the below video of one of the talent games weekends.

Fees

£360 paid as £40 per month for 9 months October – June 2023 (inclusive).

For this fee players will receive:

• Starter kit pack for new players including branded costume/ trunks as well as a branded t-shirt.
• 15 water polo sessions, January – July, by internationally experienced coaches.

If selected this fee will also include the below for no additional charge:

• Attendance at Easter and Summer Talent Games and Winter U16 festival.

Fees are reviewed annually.

How to trial

Please complete the following link to sign up for a trial for the U14 or U16 sessions at any of our centres. Please note athletes who already have a place at the Talent Centres do not need to re trial.

Trial cost £25. The Swim England Water Polo Talent Team and our talent centre coaches look forward to welcoming you to our centres and helping you to achieve your full potential in our amazing sport. A link for payment will be sent following by one of our Talent Team.