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England’s EU Nations organisers reflect on a successful event in Manchester - November 27, 2017
Eamonn O’Rourke, Chair of the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group, gives us an insight into the events element of the English Water Polo Management Group’s strategy for the development of our sport:
Eamonn told us, “Manchester has a very strong sports event strategy which has a focus on events that contribute to Manchester’s growing economy and those which demonstrate investment into our communities. Both the LEN age group event in May and the EU Nations U21’s event over the weekend of 17-19 November have demonstrated that by bringing major water polo events to Manchester it further develops the strong relationships we have with British Swimming and Swim England as governing bodies with responsibility for these events.
More importantly hosting these events develops the capacity within the water polo community to go on to bringing future significant events to the city. The legacy of this long term approach to events, rather than hosting single events, is the developing relationship of all stakeholders over a period of time which inevitably brings further resources for the sport. In our case the establishment of the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group has already brought significant benefits to the city with the national age group teams now based in Manchester adding to the numerous other sport governing bodies who have made the same decision to base themselves in the city.
As important as events are, it is also critical that we develop a real legacy from hosting these European events. The development of our workforce has been a particular success with England referees and officials being able to develop their skills and to establish themselves on the international scene and to improve the standards within the UK. The City of Manchester Water Polo Club invests a huge amount of effort into the event with junior and senior players taking roles within the event organisation, and the club takes a lead role in the Local Organising Committee alongside Swim England, the England Water Polo Management Group and Manchester City Council, which is responsible for the event delivery. Not forgetting of course our magnificent volunteers once again proving that Manchester is at the forefront in event volunteering.
There are two other really important benefits to hosting major water polo events in the city: Manchester is making a significant contribution to establishing a long term event strategy for the sport with these events only being the start and the investment of bringing events to Manchester which allows for a real plan to invest into the entry level development of the sport with local schools attending the event over the weekend, and secondly players from clubs across Greater Manchester and the North West were able to attend and watch world class water polo competition in their city.
All of this is really just the beginning of redeveloping a sport which Manchester and the Northwest of England has been proud to invest in and develop over the past 30-40 years. There is a real history in the sport in this area and bringing major water polo events to the city helps to get real momentum within the water polo community to continue to invest in and further develop the sport.”
Ian Elliot, Chair of the English Water Polo Management Group (EWPMG) also reflects on the hugely successful EU nations event:
“We have had great feedback from the EU Nations Delegate who could not praise more highly the event we have recently held in Manchester. I was particularly pleased to be able to formally write to thank the City Council for their significant input on behalf of Swim England and the English Water Polo Management Group.
As you are aware water polo is a great sport with a committed and passionate community, which over the last 2 events held in Manchester has been able to significantly ‘punch above its weight’ due to the army of volunteers dedicated to the sport’s development. In particular I would like to point out that Manchester’s volunteers never cease to impress me with the dedication and support that they bring to these events.
The EWPMG are now working on procuring a LEN age group event in May next year in Manchester and given the success of our men’s U17 qualifying tournament this May, we are hopeful that working with British Swimming and the Manchester Strategic Group will allow us to secure another successful tournament. This forms part of an events strategy and calendar (see below) that dovetails into the overall strategic development of the sport that my colleagues on the EWPMG are developing going forward.”
Ian added, “The English WPMG is very grateful for the speed at which the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group has acted to develop support for our National Programmes in the absence of central funding. It has enabled us to gain much additional benefit to the resources which have been inputted. The collaboration of City Council, water polo club, GLL (pool operator), and local Universities has become a powerful vehicle for developing the sport for the good of all.
Now that we are seeing the great things that can be achieved, we are at the early stages of an ambitious programme to develop other regional models, and welcome suggestions of how other strategic groups can be formed to provide additional facilities for the benefit of our much loved sport.
Over the next few months, we will be publishing a focus on particular areas of the strategic development plan, starting with coach development next month.”
3 responses to “England’s EU Nations organisers reflect on a successful event in Manchester”
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England’s EU Nations organisers reflect on a successful event in Manchester -
Eamonn O’Rourke, Chair of the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group, gives us an insight into the events element of the English Water Polo Management Group’s strategy for the development of our sport:
Eamonn told us, “Manchester has a very strong sports event strategy which has a focus on events that contribute to Manchester’s growing economy and those which demonstrate investment into our communities. Both the LEN age group event in May and the EU Nations U21’s event over the weekend of 17-19 November have demonstrated that by bringing major water polo events to Manchester it further develops the strong relationships we have with British Swimming and Swim England as governing bodies with responsibility for these events.
More importantly hosting these events develops the capacity within the water polo community to go on to bringing future significant events to the city. The legacy of this long term approach to events, rather than hosting single events, is the developing relationship of all stakeholders over a period of time which inevitably brings further resources for the sport. In our case the establishment of the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group has already brought significant benefits to the city with the national age group teams now based in Manchester adding to the numerous other sport governing bodies who have made the same decision to base themselves in the city.
As important as events are, it is also critical that we develop a real legacy from hosting these European events. The development of our workforce has been a particular success with England referees and officials being able to develop their skills and to establish themselves on the international scene and to improve the standards within the UK. The City of Manchester Water Polo Club invests a huge amount of effort into the event with junior and senior players taking roles within the event organisation, and the club takes a lead role in the Local Organising Committee alongside Swim England, the England Water Polo Management Group and Manchester City Council, which is responsible for the event delivery. Not forgetting of course our magnificent volunteers once again proving that Manchester is at the forefront in event volunteering.
There are two other really important benefits to hosting major water polo events in the city: Manchester is making a significant contribution to establishing a long term event strategy for the sport with these events only being the start and the investment of bringing events to Manchester which allows for a real plan to invest into the entry level development of the sport with local schools attending the event over the weekend, and secondly players from clubs across Greater Manchester and the North West were able to attend and watch world class water polo competition in their city.
All of this is really just the beginning of redeveloping a sport which Manchester and the Northwest of England has been proud to invest in and develop over the past 30-40 years. There is a real history in the sport in this area and bringing major water polo events to the city helps to get real momentum within the water polo community to continue to invest in and further develop the sport.”
Ian Elliot, Chair of the English Water Polo Management Group (EWPMG) also reflects on the hugely successful EU nations event:
“We have had great feedback from the EU Nations Delegate who could not praise more highly the event we have recently held in Manchester. I was particularly pleased to be able to formally write to thank the City Council for their significant input on behalf of Swim England and the English Water Polo Management Group.
As you are aware water polo is a great sport with a committed and passionate community, which over the last 2 events held in Manchester has been able to significantly ‘punch above its weight’ due to the army of volunteers dedicated to the sport’s development. In particular I would like to point out that Manchester’s volunteers never cease to impress me with the dedication and support that they bring to these events.
The EWPMG are now working on procuring a LEN age group event in May next year in Manchester and given the success of our men’s U17 qualifying tournament this May, we are hopeful that working with British Swimming and the Manchester Strategic Group will allow us to secure another successful tournament. This forms part of an events strategy and calendar (see below) that dovetails into the overall strategic development of the sport that my colleagues on the EWPMG are developing going forward.”
Ian added, “The English WPMG is very grateful for the speed at which the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group has acted to develop support for our National Programmes in the absence of central funding. It has enabled us to gain much additional benefit to the resources which have been inputted. The collaboration of City Council, water polo club, GLL (pool operator), and local Universities has become a powerful vehicle for developing the sport for the good of all.
Now that we are seeing the great things that can be achieved, we are at the early stages of an ambitious programme to develop other regional models, and welcome suggestions of how other strategic groups can be formed to provide additional facilities for the benefit of our much loved sport.
Over the next few months, we will be publishing a focus on particular areas of the strategic development plan, starting with coach development next month.”
3 responses to “England’s EU Nations organisers reflect on a successful event in Manchester”
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Mark Leeson says:
Great news and congratulations on a successful tournament. I’m sure clubs and players around the UK will be keen to know how this can translate into wider benefits for water polo beyond Manchester, particularly those around areas well outside the Manchester ‘catchment’. It will be no doubt a concern to many, that the EWMG don’t become focused on only making water polo a success in Manchester/ the northern region.
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cheerychris says:
Hello Mark, thanks for your comments. We have raised your points with the England WPMG and the local organising committee and Ian Elliot on behalf of both groups has added the following comments (also added to the original article). “The English WPMG is very grateful for the speed at which the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group has acted to develop support for our National Programmes in the absence of central funding. It has enabled us to gain much additional benefit to the resources which have been inputted. The collaboration of City Council, water polo club, GLL (pool operator), and local Universities has become a powerful vehicle for developing the sport for the good of all. Now that we are seeing the great things that can be achieved, we are at the early stages of an ambitious programme to develop other regional models, and welcome suggestions of how other strategic groups can be formed to provide additional facilities for the benefit of our much loved sport.”
We hope that this is helpful
Best wishes
Chris, WPE admin
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Craig Stowell says:
Well done everyone on hosting another extremely well organised and successful event. You have shown that international water polo not only has a place in the UK but also that our teams have a place on the international stage.
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Great news and congratulations on a successful tournament. I’m sure clubs and players around the UK will be keen to know how this can translate into wider benefits for water polo beyond Manchester, particularly those around areas well outside the Manchester ‘catchment’. It will be no doubt a concern to many, that the EWMG don’t become focused on only making water polo a success in Manchester/ the northern region.
Hello Mark, thanks for your comments. We have raised your points with the England WPMG and the local organising committee and Ian Elliot on behalf of both groups has added the following comments (also added to the original article). “The English WPMG is very grateful for the speed at which the Manchester Strategic Water Polo Group has acted to develop support for our National Programmes in the absence of central funding. It has enabled us to gain much additional benefit to the resources which have been inputted. The collaboration of City Council, water polo club, GLL (pool operator), and local Universities has become a powerful vehicle for developing the sport for the good of all. Now that we are seeing the great things that can be achieved, we are at the early stages of an ambitious programme to develop other regional models, and welcome suggestions of how other strategic groups can be formed to provide additional facilities for the benefit of our much loved sport.”
We hope that this is helpful
Best wishes
Chris, WPE admin
Well done everyone on hosting another extremely well organised and successful event. You have shown that international water polo not only has a place in the UK but also that our teams have a place on the international stage.