OFFICERS APPOINTED TO SHAPE WATER POLO FUTURE
An initiative to create a lasting legacy for water polo past
the London 2012 Olympics will gather pace this weekend and
is being spearheaded by recently appointed Regional Development
Officers Norman Leighton and Richard Sellers.
Leighton (50), a former club and national player as well
as a coach to the sport, has been appointed to cover the north
of England while Sellers, a former club player and coach,
will cover the south of the country.
The Regional Development Officers (RDO) will work with the
regions that make up the Amateur Swimming Association to develop
the sport of water polo
"We aim to have better qualified coaches on the ground
through our work with the UK Coaching Certificate by using
the new syllabus that's just been introduced," explained
Leighton.
"The aim is to better train out tutors so they can introduce
a more complete training programme to our coaches and this
is therefore passed down to the athletes which are the future
of the sport.
"The position will also involve a talent identification
element. While working within the regions we'll be keeping
a close eye on youngsters within the sport to see whether
they've got that natural ability to be great water polo players
of the future."
The RDOs will also take responsibility for the ASA's Athlete
Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) for water polo
which involves a group of promising teenagers developing within
the sport while continuing their education.
"We shall be looking after 18 students who are all part
of the current national water polo programme. They'll continue
to train for a minimum of 16 hours a week while they further
their education via a level three NVQ," explained Leighton.
"They will finish the two-year course as fully-rounded
athletes and individuals. We'll be closely monitoring their
progress and provide the support they need to ensure they
attain their qualification. They can then take the next step,
if they choose, which will be university."
The athletes will come together for the first time this weekend
at a camp in Loughborough where they will be given an overview
of the AASE programme.
The programme looks at all aspects of an athlete's life and
they can expect to learn new life skills such as time management
and nutrition. Athletes will gather more in-depth detail about
their sport while looking at issues such as coaching, officiating
and working with the media.
"The AASE programme creates a very professional athlete
with the necessary skills to continue within their sport alongside
their education," explained Leighton.
Leighton is excited about his new role within the sport he's
dedicated much of his life to.
"I want to make a difference in developing the level
of water polo in Britain. I want to broaden the base and make
the sport more accessible while introducing a level of support
and quality we haven't had before," said Leighton.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm but we now need to put
alongside this the quality of service needed to ensure the
sport grows within this country.
"We've got the players and programme in place to take
us to the London 2012 Olympics. It's a fantastic opportunity
but we also need to ensure there's a legacy in place to take
the sport beyond 2012."
Leighton, who comes from Rotherham, spent many years as a
water polo player at club and national level. He moved into
coaching with Rotherham and has supported and coached national
junior and senior teams.
Richard Sellers (29), from Matlock, was coached by Leighton
at Rotherham before he himself began coaching with Sheffield
ladies.
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