2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships FAQ's

2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships FAQ’s
      For more detailed information, please visit the 2021 AYWPC Competition Manual

What are the dates for the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships?
April school holidays. The exact dates for each age group will be released in mid November
2020.

Where will the 2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships?
Brisbane, Queensland

What venues will the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships be held at?
Sleeman Sports Complex at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Fortitude Valley Pool, Stuartholme
Aquatic Precinct, Musgrave Park, Langlands Park.

Why is the AYWPC being postponed?
 - Current COVID-19 restrictions in place around the country, impacting travel as well as the
   delivery of large scale community events, has made the shift in dates necessary.
 - The change the dates was one not taken lightly but designed to give every club and child
   the best opportunity to take part in the Championships.
 - This has been a difficult time for many, including participants, coaches, officials, their
   Clubs and the State Associations who are all working tireless to get the season underway.
 - WPA is also conscious of our friends in Victoria who are still unable to train or play yet
   and in Western Australia, who are unable to travel interstate.
 - WPA felt it was important to provide plenty of notice for families and clubs about
   changing the dates and to give every member the best opportunity to take part in the
   2021 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC).

Is there still a chance that AYWPC could be cancelled?
- At this stage, Water Polo Australia is not considering cancellation of the Australian Youth
    Water Polo Championships.
- However, with the changing nature of COVID-19 and current restrictions in place, WPA
    will continue to work with our event partners including the Queensland Government and
    Brisbane City Council to monitor the situation and ensure the welfare of players, clubs,
    officials and staff is the key priority.

If it were to be postponed again or cancelled, when would a decision be made by?
Early January 2021, at least three months prior to the start of the current event date.

When entries open?
Team Nominations for the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC) will be
delayed opening until December 2020.

What COVID Safe plans will be in place for the AYWPC?
  - Water Polo Australia will adhere to the current Aquatic COVID Safe plans in place by
      the Queensland Government as well as the COVID safe plans of all venue operators.

-   WPA will implement safety measures to adhere to the plans which may mean a
       difference in event delivery compared previous AYWPC including reduction in
       spectators, changes in how venues can be accessed, contract tracing measures in
       place (e.g. QR codes) and potential timetable changes. All changes will be outlined
       prior to the event.

COMPETITION QUESTIONS
What do the new divisions mean?
  - At the call of nominations, teams will be required to nominate their teams into the
      desired division – Gold (1) or Green (2). The purpose of multiple divisions is to
      ensure that teams are participating in competitions with teams of a similar ability,
      for a more closely contested competition.
  - The Green Division will be based on development and participation, and the Gold
      Division will have more of a competitive focus.
  - In age groups where there are less than 16 nominated teams, there will only be one
      division. The Gold (1) Division will be capped at 16 teams, with the remaining teams
      entering the Green (2) Division.
  - These nominations will be ratified by the State Associations to ensure teams are
      appropriately seeded. The Team Representative/Manager Will be communicated
      with if there are any issues that arise.

What accreditation do I need if I'm a coach, referee or table official?
- All Officials are required to hold and submit the following:
  • WPA Membership
  • Valid State Specific Working with Children Check/Vulnerable People (Employee/Paid)
  • ASC Community Officiating/Coaching General Principles (Referee + Coach only)
  • WPA Competition Official Certificate (Table Officials Only)
- More detail can be found in the Accreditation and Appointments Guidelines. It is
  recommended that the Officials also complete the relevant Coaching or Refereeing Level
  for their level of competition, however, is not mandatory.
- It is the Club’s responsibility to nominate – Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager and Table
  Officials
- It is the State’s responsibility to nominate – Referees and Technical Delegates

How does the seeding work?
Seeding will be completed in conjunction with each State Association, based on recent
results of the team. Rankings from the previous AYWPC events will also be taken into
consideration.

What awards will be presented?
- National Champions – Winning teams and runner up teams in each age group and
   division
- Club Championship (Male/Female/Overall)
- Overall Champion Club (Points per registered Member)
- Milestones for Referees/Officials
- Spirit of the Game Award in each age group and division, in line with Think.Act.Play

What team can I play for?
  - Information can be found in the Tournament Eligibility Regulations.

I am a referee or technical delegate - how do I nominate?
    - Referee and Technical Delegate nominations this year are completed by each State
        Association. If you are interested in officiating, please contact your State Association.

How do teams nominate to enter?
  - One representative from each club is required to nominate teams on behalf of the
      club. The link to the nomination form can be found on the AYWPC Website. All team
      nominations can be completed on the one form.
  - The team fee is $2500 incl. GST per team.
  - A $500 deposit per team is required to be paid online at the point of nomination.
  - The remaining amounts for all teams within a club will be invoiced to the club
      representative for payment by the 11th December.

Will there a player draft? Is there a fee?
   - If players are not selected in their club teams, or their team is not entering the
       event, a player draft will be conducted to draft individuals to teams requiring
       players.
   - Information can be found in the Tournament Eligibility Regulations, with
       nominations closing on the 27th November.