2016 NATIONAL AGED CLUB
CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOYS
14 YEARS AND UNDER
BORN 2002, 2003 AND 2004
GOLD COAST
23RD TO 28TH MARCH 2016
INFORMATION PACK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Eligibility Rules
National Aged Club Championships Rules
Timeline, Schedule of Events and Process for submission of forms
Venue and General Information
Financial Policy
Head Coach Meeting
Table Officials Obligations
Goal Judges
Think, ACT, Play
Working with Vulnerable People/Children Clearances/Cards
Team Lists on Foxs Sports Pulse Obligations
Number of Playing Cap Sets and Colours
Further Information
FORMS
Team Entry Form
Team Names List Form
Team Request for Draft Player
Player Request for Participation in Draft
WPA Draft Player Agreement Consent Form
National Eligibility Rules
Team and Player Eligibility Rules applicable to all National Aged Club
Championships Effective 18 July 2015
1. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of the National Age Group Club Championships the following
definitions apply:
1.1. Club - a club is an affiliated body that competes in the local age group competitions
run within the state/approved region.
1.2. Team – a team is a group of players (Min 6, Max 13 – note the minimum no for
14U is 12) that is nominated under the following categories:
1.2.1. Club Team – a team of players all from the one club;
1.2.2. Composite Team – two clubs, that have a written agreement, apply and
receive approval from WPA to enter a composite team;
1.2.3. Region Composite Team – the clubs based in an approved region have
applied and received approval from WPA to enter a composite team; and
1.2.4. State Composite Team - the SSO applies and receives permission from
WPA to enter a composite team with players drawn from clubs in the state.
1.3. Primary Club - is determined by the players’ domiciled location. A player in the
first instance must register with the Member Association in the state or territory within
which they reside or in their approved region if in a border town where there is a border
agreement. Casual relocation is not considered as permanent
2. TEAM ELIGIBILITY
2.1. All categories of composite teams can only be approved by WPAL for each
separate competition. Composite teams can only be formed by two clubs. Both clubs
must be able to prove by way of a signed declaration that they do not have sufficient
number of players from within their own clubs to participate in the Championships. If
one or both of the clubs have other teams entered into the Championships then the
composite arrangement must only be with the bottom ranked teams in the club in those
championships i.e. a club with a team in their own right plus a composite team must
select their best players in their top team not in the composite team. Teams that breach
this rule are subject to disqualification from the Championships.
2.2. All team nominations must be endorsed by the appropriate SSOs as an affiliated
club in that SSO, however only WPA has the authority to approve teams.
2.3. Clubs with nine or more players competing at a NC must compete in their own
right.
2.4. Clubs may only enter into one composite team agreement – multiple agreements
are not allowed.
2.5. A composite team agreement can only include two clubs not multiple clubs.
2.6. Clubs may not distribute their players over several composite teams.
2.7. Composite team status must be clearly indicated on the nomination form (team
names reflect both clubs of origin).
2.8. Composite team nominations must indicate the club each player plays for in the
local/regional/state competition.
2.9. Composite teams are eligible to play in finals.
2.10. Teams from clubs that compete in the NWPL are NOT exempt from these rules.
2.11. Composite teams will not be allowed to draft players.
3. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
3.1. Players must be financial members of clubs.
3.2. A player must play for their primary club if that club enters a championship. If a
player chooses not to do so then they cannot play for another team. – note: If a player
makes themselves unavailable to play for their primary club and then changes their
mind they may still only play with their primary club and may not play for anyone else.
If their primary club cannot accommodate them then they will not play at those
championships. Further should a player not make themselves available or not
participate in the spirit of the selection process for their primary club with the intention
of not being selected and then the team withdraws from the competition the player is
excluded from the tournament and may not play for another club.
3.3. Where a player is not selected by their primary club then that player is free to join
the WPA draft for that tournament.
3.4. Where a player’s primary club does not enter the championships either as a standalone club or in the category of a composite team then that player is free to join the
WPA draft for that tournament.
3.5. Player Transfers
3.5.1. Once entries have opened for a national tournament there can be no
transfers – players must play for the primary club regardless of any transfers
that may occur. Only in exceptional circumstances will WPA agree to such a
transfer.
3.5.2. WPA has the ability to approve a composite team of players from multiple
clubs where those players all come from primary clubs that have not entered
the relevant championships.
3.5.3. Approved Regional/State based teams such as ACT, Hunter, Ovens and
Murray/Wagga, Geraldton, Bunbury, Sunshine Coast, South Australia and
Tasmania are to be treated in the same manner as clubs for the purpose of
eligibility.
3.6. Player Draft
3.6.1. The player draft will be managed by WPA.
3.6.2. Where a player applies to be in the draft because of the eligibility rules
above then the player must apply to the Manager, Events and Competitions to
be included in the draft. The player must supply a short resume and contact
details on the appropriate form by the publicised closing date.
3.6.3. Teams who have 10 or less players will be permitted to select a maximum
of three players from the draft. Clubs with multiple team entries in any
championship will only be allowed to draft players to the bottom ranked team.
Composite teams will not be allowed to draft players. Teams must apply to the
Manager, Events and Competitions to select players in the draft prior to the
tournament on the appropriate form by the publicised closing date. The
Manager Events and Competitions will decide the order of draft selection if
necessary. Teams in the same state as the player wishing to be drafted will
have first choice at all times.
3.6.4. The draft for all national aged club championships will be conducted over
two rounds. The first round will be restricted to teams and players within the
same state/territory. Any players who are not selected in the first round may, if
they and their parent/guardian agree and subject to clause 3.6.5, progress to
the second round. The second round will be a national draft.
3.6.5. Any player/s who is/are under the age of 18 as at the start of any
tournament may only be drafted by another club (i.e. any other club regardless
of where located) if both the guardian and club representative sign the WPA
consent document and lodge it with Water Polo Australia at least one week prior
to the commencement of the tournament.
The document will include acknowledgement by the parent/guardian that they
have contacted the relevant club and are in agreement with the terms and
conditions of the participation in the team of their child/dependant. The
document must also include a statement by the club representative that they
have contacted the parent/guardian, explained the conditions of participation in
the team and that the club guarantees that the coach, assistant coach, team
manager and any other team staff have a current working with children
clearance/s and have sighted such clearance/s.
National Aged Club Championships Rules
FINA decided in Lausanne on the 7th October, 2014 rule changes for Junior and Youth
level water polo competitions.
Accordingly, Water Polo Australia has made the decision to adopt the rules bringing
them into effect as of 8th October 2014. The new rules will be employed at all national
aged competitions and WPA aged sanctioned tournaments.
Those competitions which will adopt the new rules include the 14 & under, 16 & under,
18 & under and 20 & under level competition. Additionally WPA sanctioned 12 & under
festival competitions must also adopt the rule changes.
The rule changes are as follows:
1. Length of field of play will be 25 metres for Men and Women
2. Reduction in number of players from a team of thirteen to eleven, with the
corresponding reduction of players in water from seven to six, one of whom
shall be the goalkeeper
3. Use of Women's Water Polo Ball for Men and Women
The modified rules that currently exist for the 14 & under and 12 & under competitions
will remain, except that the pressing rule has been removed. Teams may nominate 13
players but only 12 are eligible to compete in any game.
The Modified rules for 14 & under and 12 & under are now:
1. A minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 12 players per team for each
game.
2. Every player must play a quarter of the game within the first half, except in
the instances of injury and players fouled out.
3. On exclusion no timeframe is applied, the player must swim to the re-entry
box, rise to surface within the box then re-enter.
4. No shot on goal from a free throw.
5. After receiving a foul, the centre forward and the centre back must swim out
allowing for a new centre forward
For all other national aged competitions, teams may now nominate a maximum of 13
players with only 11 of those players eligible to play in any game.
Timeline, Schedule of Events and Process for submission of forms
All forms are included at the end of this information pack. Please read all the
information carefully and submit the forms as a word document with type print – NOTE:
hand written or photograph copies of forms will not be accepted. Forms are to be
submitted to your local State or Territory Water Polo Organisation by the dates listed
on the forms and in the timeline below
The forms that require submission are:
Team Entry Form
Team Names List Form
Team Request for Draft Player
Player Request for Participation in Draft
Timeline of Important Dates:
Friday 15/1/16 – Team Entries Open
Monday 1/2/16 – Team Entries Close and Invoices issued – please note the entry
fee for a team remains at the same price as last year - $1,700 incl. GST per team.
Monday 22/2/16 – Final date for Team Lists to be submitted
Monday 22/2/16 – Team and Player Draft requests close
Saturday 27/2/16 – Draft conducted
Monday 29/2/16 – Draft result announced and Draft Agreement forms issued
Monday 29/2/16 – Payment of Entry Fees close note: any withdrawals after this
date will result in the forfeiture of the team entry fee.
Tuesday 1/3/16 – Final draw issued
Friday 11/3/16 – Submission of Draft Agreement forms close
Tuesday 22/3/16 – Both events at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Gold Coast
Compulsory Head Coach Technical Meeting 600pm (local time). Coaches can
collect player passes and team information packs at this event.
Table Officials Course 500pm (local time)
Wednesday 23/3/16 – Competition starts at 800am
Saturday 26/3/16 – All Star Game – 600pm (start time to be confirmed after draw is
finalised).
Monday 28/3/16 – Finals day - competition finished by 200pm
Venue and General Information
The pool to be used in the championships is:
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre,
Marine Parade, Gold Coast QLD 4225
Tel: (07) 5582 8282
Financial Policy
Players and/or Clubs are not permitted to participate in National Competitions if they
are in debt to Water Polo Australia or their relevant State/Territory Water Polo
Organisation outside the normal trading terms.
Head Coach Meeting
A compulsory Head Coach meeting will be held at 600pm local time Tuesday 22nd
March 2016 at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Gold Coast. Attendance at this meeting
is not negotiable – if a head coach does not attend then he/she will not be
permitted to coach in the tournament.
Table Officials Obligations
Water Polo Queensland will provide table officials for the first game in each session
on each field of play.
Teams are required to supply a qualified table official for the game immediately
following their own game:


Supply one trained table official for the game immediately following their
own game. The official must have completed the WPA Table Officials
course. Follow this link to view the course material http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/about-us/policies-proceduresreports/table-officials-manual/
Pay a $20 fee per match for WPA in conjunction with the local association
to provide a trained person for the club. The fee is to be paid in cash
direct to the official at the start of the match.
ALL teams must provide a table official as detailed above - failure to do so could
lead to your team losing points and other sanctions so please co-operate in this
important duty.
Goal Judges
WPA has adopted the procedure of having no goal judges for all games except the
Championship semi-finals and all finals games on day 6. The head coach will be
responsible for throwing the ball into the game when required. The exact procedure
will be explained in detail at the pre-tournament compulsory head coach meeting. This
is the same process successfully used at the 2015 16U Boys and Girls National Aged
Club Championships.
Think, ACT, Play
Water Polo Australia (WPA) recently implemented the program ‘Think. Act.
Play’ which is designed to promote positive behaviour and respect within the sport.
All players, coaches, team support staff, officials, parents, supporters and spectators
are covered by the policy.
Please go to the Water Polo Australia web site and click on the following link to see
the full policy - http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/think-act-play/
Working with Vulnerable People/Children Clearances/Cards
All team staff, including coaches, managers, medical and other team support staff
must possess current Working with Vulnerable People/Children Clearances/Cards
and carry them on their person at all times whilst at the venue. They must be produced
if requested by any WPA Official.
Team Lists on Foxs Sports Pulse Obligations
ALL teams will be required to submit their list both via the manual method through their
SSO and then via Foxs Sports Pulse – instructions on this procedure will be sent to all
teams after the manual forms have been received.
Number of Playing Cap Sets and Colours
All teams must carry two sets of caps numbered 1 to 13 with the number 1 cap being
a red goal keeper’s cap. One set must be predominantly white or light in colour and
one set of a contrasting colour which are predominantly darker. The first named team
will be required to wear the predominantly white or light in colour set of caps and the
second named team the contrasting colour which are predominantly darker. This will
be not negotiable at this years championships.
Further Information
For further information please contact:
Noel Harrod, WPA MANAGER, EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS,
Phone WPA Office, Sydney: +61 (02) 6242 9104
Phone AIS Office, Canberra: +61 (02) 6214 3550
Mobile: +61 (0) 407 32 45 37
E [email protected]
FORMS ATTACHED TO THIS INFORMATION PACK INCLUDE
Team Entry Form
Team List Nomination Form
Team Request for Draft Player
Player Request for Participation in Draft
WPA Draft Player Agreement Consent Form