02 July 2009
Manchester benefits from Kellogg’s water polo legacy
programme
Building on the success of the 2007 Kellogg’s Legacy Programme,
Manchester will be hosting a ‘Mini-polo’ Legacy Tournament on
Friday 10th July, the day before the finals weekend of the LEN
Women’s European Nations Trophy, which takes place between 7 – 12
July at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
The eight competing teams will each represent one of the elite
squads present in the European Nations Trophy draw and will feature
boys and girls in years five and six from local school.
Local Manchester rivals Moston Lane and Holy Trinity Schools are
expected to start the competition as favourites, having performed
well in the qualification stages. Both schools are from Harpurhey,
one of Manchester’s most deprived areas, and have extended their
association with the sport into after school clubs since having
first been involved in the original programme in 2007. The extra
curricular sessions have continued on a weekly basis and are used
as a reward for children at the school, with a waiting list to
attend.
A Scottish team of 14 children have been chosen to travel to
Manchester for the event, some due to ability and some as a reward
for improvement at school. The Kellogg’s Swim Active funded
Scottish team are the result of an initiative which has introduced
primary school children from East Dunbartonshire to mini-polo. The
link with the Scottish Development programme will continue to be
explored in the lead up to and beyond the 2014 Commonwealth
Games.
The event is a fantastic opportunity to experience competing at
one of the country’s premier sports facilities as well as extending
the participation base to the primary schools from Cheshire and
Greater Manchester who are set to compete against the Scottish and
City of Manchester school children.
Teams competing in the 2009 tournament:
St Mary’s,
Manchester
Belarus
Beech House,
Manchester
Portugal
Cheshire County Team, Manchester Czech Republic
Moston Lane,
Manchester
Great Britain
Holy Trinity,
Manchester
Croatia
MHSG,
Manchester
Slovakia
Scotland National
Team
Switzerland
St Johns,
Manchester
Ukraine
In addition to encouraging participation in the region, an
ongoing effort is being made to greatly increase the capacity and
knowledge of coaches within the North West. By raising the quality
as well as the opportunity to participate in Manchester, the area
will maintain its status as the primary hub for elite as well as
grassroots water polo.
Young candidates have been identified from community clubs in
and around Manchester and will be part funded through a UK Coaching
Certificate (UKCC) Level One in water polo in return for volunteer
work at their locally based facilities. The course has been
organised from 13th – 17th July, enabling 16 people to be given the
knowledge and qualifications to assist a Level Two Coach. The UKCC
Level Two water polo course has then been scheduled for October and
November, allowing the individuals to gain the necessary experience
over summer to enable them to take the next qualification. The UKCC
Level Two status then qualifies the coach to lead a session by
themselves.
The NWDA is sponsoring the LEN Women’s European Nations Trophy
as part of its Major Events Strategy to bring high-profile events
to the Northwest.
Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
at the NWDA, said, “It is excellent to see so many young athletes
being inspired to compete in a thrilling Olympic sport as we head
towards London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. As the MAC
is also an official training camp for the Games, and the setting
for the Women’s European Nations Trophy, it will make a wonderful
venue for the competition.”
Tickets for the 2009 LEN Women’s European Nations Trophy are now
available and start at just £5 per day for adults and £3 for under
16s and OAPs. For further information and ticketing visit www.manchester2009.com
The Official Draw for the 2009 LEN Women’s European Nations
Trophy:
Group A
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Croatia
Ukraine
Group B
Slovakia
Belarus
Portugal
Great Britain
-ENDS-
For media information, high resolution photography and interview
opportunities please contact:
Leigh Ireland
020 7940 1703
lireland@capitalize.co.uk
Lauren
Sanderson
Dave Richards
01509 632
236
01509 632
238
lauren.sanderson@swimming.org
Dave.richards@swimming.org