APPENDIX 32
Memorandum submitted by North Eastern
Counties Amateur Swimming Association
ISSUES RELATING TO WATER POLO THROUGH THE
SPORT OF SWIMMING
WATER POLO
IS THE
OLDEST OLYMPIC
TEAM SPORT.
BRITISH WATER
POLO IS
NOT IN
THE EUROPEAN
OR WORLD
TOP FLIGHT.......WHY?
Primarily due to our climate—almost no
sustainable outdoor facilities (April-October). It is recognised
as a summer/warm climate activity for countries: USA, Cuba, Hungary,
Italy, Yugoslavia, Spain, Greece, Australia, Malta, France, Germany,
Canada, South Africa, Russia—to mention some of the bigger
hitters,—have catchment that is within this type of zone.
Britain fell behind due to a cultural attitude
toward the promotion of the game. Old shallow pools were not conducive
to advancing the modern skills required, in competing equally
with the above mentioned countries.
The lack of adequate funding, by whatever means
and the predominance of the male side of the game at University
level, until recently, has limited the numbers of participants
that could have sustained and improved the standard of play to
a par with overseas opposition. Incentives to keep the very talented
within this country are NIL.
There still remains within the swimming community
a school of thought that Water Polo is not to be encouraged amongst
club swimmers. I believe this is because:
(a) Swim coaches feel that the techniques
and swimming skills required for the game do not enhance or complement
those required for competitive swimming.
(b) Swim clubs are afraid that they will
lose numbers of fee-paying children to a different discipline.
(c) Too narrow a field of acquatic variety
is pursued by clubs and they do not have the resources to promote
greater involvement.
3 December 2001
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