Edoardo has asked me to write about GB water polo's Olympic
experience and what's changing for GB afterwards.
The
Olympic experience was overall an extremely positive one from the point of view
of both GB's teams. For women's polo, it was followed recently by the
announcement of a significant improvement in funding: http://www.uksport.gov.uk/sport/summer-2016.
My own experience was on the support staff of the men's team: so forgive me for
any extra focus on that group, particularly in view of the funding challenges
ahead.
Certainly
the feeling was that taking part in the Olympics made all the hard work the
players had put in over the previous years more than worthwhile. The
support of the British public at the arena, outside and at the Olympic parade
was overwhelmingly positive. It was great to be part of Team GB.
The on-going challenge is to apply what was learnt from the experience: it
needs to be the start of something, not the end.
A
couple of outstanding moments were:
- Celebrations after the last match
which included Craig Figes' bravado goal https://vimeo.com/56862180. As it worked out,
the game with Montenegro was the last match in charge for Cristian Iordache,
who had headed GB men's coaching with such commitment over the past few years
and at the Olympics: his role was the first to go with the ending of funding.
|
| Coach Cristian Iordache enjoying celebrations after GB Men’s last match of the Olympics |
As well as working with consultant
coach, Zoltan Kasas, Cristian had taken an enlightened approach to the
application of multi-disciplinary expertise to the squad, often from the EIS
(English Institute of Sport): a very good example being Josh Fletcher, strength
and sonditioning coach. All this certainly made a difference. At
the Games themselves, particularly interesting was the contribution of Dr. Mark
Bawden, England cricket's psychologist, in helping manage team meetings as
collaborative and positive. It was wonderful to see the team ethos
actually strengthen as the competition went on, undaunted by defeat: of course,
this is mostly a testament to the character of the players led by captain,
Craig and vice-captain, Adam Scholefield.
It is hard to believe the sport as
a whole will not continue to move forward given the interest of friends,
families and the public, who enjoyed watching our sport so much over that
fortnight. The presentation of our sport at the arena was
fantastic. Just a quick note: ticketing allocation did appeared to work
less brilliantly. It was often impossible to buy tickets, officially, at
least, while there were obviously unoccupied seats including at the medal games.
UK Sport’s and Sport
England’s (http://www.sportengland.org/funding/ngb_investment/whole_sport_plans_2013-17.aspx)
funding decisions show obvious faith in the governance of our sport, but it is undeniably
a challenging situation on the men’s side. It is worth
considering positives that suggest we don't have to fall off a water polo
"fiscal cliff":
- The average age of the GB men's
team was a year younger than any other team: these are players will continue to
improve playing in clubs in good European leagues.
- The quality and status of our
players has continued to improve, with better placements abroad. There is
no greater experience in our sport than playing at the Olympics: there should
be a deep desire to be there again. There will also be opportunities for
other players to break into the squad.
- UK Sports funding awards are
reassessed mid-way through the cycle, in effect after two years. So good
results in the Europeans, successfully negotiating the "serpentine"
qualification system, could result in a healthier funding picture.
- There is statement of support from
the federation (http://www.swimming.org/britishswimming/news/water-polo/british-swimming-to-support-mens-water-polo-campaign/15788/):
the challenge is to make it actual, maximize it and to turn it into results
- There are sound prospects for the
overall development of water polo, with grassroots funding continuing. “Supercoach” Paul Metz
has been doing good work bringing national and regional coaches together, using
a common system. It is also to be hoped that the prospect of the
appointment of Performance Director in the not too distant future will bring
the British water polo community closer to talking with one voice. Some
things that need to continue to be addressed include the inconsistencies
between British Swimming and England Talent, as well as those of the overall
competitive calendar. The new chairman of British Swimming, Maurice
Watkins, has a background of interest in team sport, including with Manchester
United.
- The European Qualifiers are good
level for the team so show their skills.
These will continue to be
interesting, often exciting times. It is responsibility of those of us
involved in managing our sport in the United Kingdom to ensure it moves forward
as a whole. The women's team have illustrated that British water polo
players can perform right to the very highest level and funding has
followed. British water polo is here to stay as an international force.
A massive challenge remains for the men: in that respect the greatest achievement
would be for both teams to be present in Rio.
Tim Kendall Assistant Coach Great Britain Men’s Water
Polo
Paul Metz recently started as Men's head coach, with our first camp next week in Manchester.
RispondiEliminaThe job of National Performance Director has also been advertised:
http://www.swimming.org/careers/vacancy/performance-director-water-polo-bs