The four stages of water polo player development in England

England Programmes Water Polo involves four stages of development for players from U14 to senior age groups. The stages ultimately lead to selection to senior national teams. The long term aim of the programme is to achieve international success and re-establish a funded world class programme.

The four stages are:

1. Regional Academy Training

Each of the seven regions run monthly training sessions for their top U14 and U16 male and female players.

2. Regional Academy Competitions

The top 60 girls and boys from the Regional Academies will compete in ‘Regional Academy Competition’ (RAC) three times a year. These act as a step for consideration to the National Academy and National Squads.

3. National Academy Training

The top 30 boys and girls from the RACs will be invited to train with the National Academy at three training camps before selection to an England squad to compete at the School Games in September.

4. National Squads

The national training squads are the top level of the performance pathway in England. U17, U19 and senior national squads train every month and work towards competing at European international competitions. Players from the national squads are not eligible to train at the National Academy sessions or be selected to play in the Regional Academy Competitions.

For the full overview of the ASA pathway current to October 2016 including dates of RACs please click here

To find out who is in the current England National Junior U17 and U19 Squads please click here and then scroll to the bottom of the page.