Giuseppe Porzio signs on to shape the future of Water Polo Canada
Water Polo Canada – (OTTAWA, October 4, 2016) – Water Polo Canada (WPC) has confirmed today the framework of an extended collaboration between renowned international coach Giuseppe Porzio and its Senior Men’s Team program.
Porzio was highly influential alongside the Canadian men’s team leading up to and throughout the 2016 Olympic Qualification tournament in Trieste, Italy. The Canadian squad finished 6th, although delivered some stunning performances in the event, while facing some of the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
Porzio currently acts as Head Coach of Acquachiara Napoli and his new mandate in Canada will have him spending precious time with the Men’s National Team before and during the 2016 WPC Summit in Calgary in October. He will also be very present in his coaching role during the key preparation and competitive activities of the next year. The agreement with WPC thus secures a close involvement through the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, but also looks at continued collaboration beyond that point.
“Our federation is absolutely thrilled to have reached an agreement with master coach Giuseppe Porzio,” said Water Polo Canada High Performance Director, Justin Oliveira. “The impact of his coaching and leadership knowledge was beyond evident throughout the preparation phase and at the event in Trieste. This led to transformation within our staff & athletes that has begun to set the course for the future of water polo in Canada.”
As an athlete himself, and later as coach, Giuseppe Porzio has indeed earned the pedigree to take the Canadian program to the next level, having claimed over forty titles at major water polo events since the 1980’s. His many accomplishments include an Olympic gold medal (Barcelona 1992) and numerous podium results at World Cup, European Championships, FINA World Championships, Mediterranean Games, Champions League, European Super Cup, Adriatic League and Italian Championships.
In close collaboration with National Training Center Lead Coach Brian Parillo, Coach Porzio will now help establish the path and training plan for the senior men’s athletes who are already looking to the milestones dotting the road to Tokyo 2020 and beyond. Giuseppe Porzio’s role will also include a general high performance advisory role within WPC, which will include interactions with the women’s senior program in Montreal. This pursues the “one team” approach which was established following the 2014 High Performance Review completed by WPC through senior consultant Wilma Shakespear.
“With what is now a dynamic combination of young eager coaches guided by a seasoned professional coach, our Men’s National Team feels ready to embark on the next steps of its journey,” said Oliveira. “We want to see where we can take this program next, together in working with our Canadian staff and athletes,” he said.
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Media requests: Pascale Beaudoin, Water Polo Canada Communications, (514) 758-7472, pbeaudoin@waterpolo.ca
About Water Polo Canada
Water Polo Canada is the National Sport Federation and governing body for the sport of water polo in Canada. It manages the National and Olympic Teams as well as the domestic development plan. (www.waterpolo.ca)
Pascale Beaudoin
Communications Director | Directrice des communications
Water Polo Canada
Tel.: 613-748-5682, ext. 328
Mobile/Portable : 514-758-7472