Press Release
Manchester benefits from Kellogg's water polo legacy programme
2 July 2009
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 at 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 Northwest Regional Development Agency (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
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