Schools Water Polo Project returns to find next generation of talent

Following the success of the ‘Schools Water Polo Project’ last year, Swim England is continuing the project which helps unearth the next generation of water polo players.

The project provides schools with £500 of funding each to go towards introducing water polo as part of their programme.

The initiative is part of Swim England Water Polo’s 2020-25 strategic goal of doubling the number of registered players in the sport.

The funding can be used to purchase equipment that is needed, pay for the hire of swimming pools or upskilling staff.

Water polo is included in the GCSE and A-Level PE syllabus, so it is a great time for schools to introduce the sport to young people.

In 2021, 10 schools were chosen to take part in the project, all of which have created a sustainable programme to continue offering water polo to their students.

A number of those schools also established links with their local water polo clubs and coaches, and have planned to compete against local teams and other schools in competitions.

Applications are open

Applications for the School Water Polo Project are open until Monday 19 December 2022.

The applications will be judged in the same way, which will be on schools’ ability to best use the funding to encourage more young people to take up the sport.

Schools interested in applying should not currently have a water polo team but have access to pool time and a teacher/coach who is confident of delivering the sessions.

Each successful school will then be given until the end of the academic year to utilise the funding and will be required to demonstrate how the money has been spent and the impact of the project.

Swim England will also encourage schools to keep in regular communication with the national governing body about the progress of their project.

To apply, please complete the application form and return to [email protected] before the deadline.

The successful schools will be notified by Friday 6 January 2023.