Water Polo Canada – Calgary, May 31, 2018 – Water Polo Canada (WPC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new National Legacy Development Centre (NLDC) in Calgary in collaboration with the Alberta Water Polo Association, the Repsol Centre and the Calgary Board of Education. As part of the overall WPC High Performance (HP) development strategy, the NLDC will raise the level of the daily training environment for 19U and postsecondary athletes and will help the overall system alignment in Canadian water polo.   

Over the past year, WPC national team staff evaluated the current landscape of high performance programming and concluded that the future of our prospective and current Age Group National Team athletes across Canada should have access to higher levels of training. This National Legacy Development Centre along with the Regional Development Centres are some of the initiatives that WPC created to enhance the depth and quality of our feeder system.

This new program will offer an enhanced training context where athletes will be able to develop a wide range of physical and technical skills. Water Polo Canada believes in a holistic approach when it comes to athletes’ progression, and an integrated process will allow athletes to excel in an out of the water.

In collaboration with the Calgary Board of Education and two associated high schools, the NLDC will offer customizable services and allow athletes to develop in a flexible academic environment. The continued partnership with the Repsol Sport Centre will also allow WPC and AWPA to optimize training support for athletes at a world-class facility. The 19U and post-secondary athletes will have the opportunity to work with a WPC Coach, and they will access to dedicated training blocks, and individualized strength and conditioning programs.

“Alberta Water Polo is excited for the new Legacy Centre in Calgary and for the athletes that want to take advantage of this. This is one of the next phases in the alignment of the high performance profile and a huge benefit in western Canada.  The program will be a strong addition to the great work that the clubs in the city are currently doing” said Dayna Christmas, Alberta Water Polo Executive Director.

“The relocation of our Men’s National Team has given us the opportunity to continue the growth water polo in Calgary with the National Legacy Development Centre program that will support both male and female athletes on their pathway to our National Team Program. This new initiative is part of our overall high performance strategy and one of the key element of our 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. I would like to personally thank all our partners in sport who have supported our efforts to get this project off the ground, and who have contributed to getting this project ready for the fall of 2018.” mentioned Justin Oliveira, High Performance Director.

The National Legacy Development Centre is one of the initiatives WPC wishes to implement to improve system alignment and athlete support.

For more information, please visit the High Performance Section on the Water Polo Canada website.

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Information:

Mylène Turcotte-Fitzgerald
Communication and Domestic Operations Coordinator, Water Polo Canada
Tel: 613-748-5682 ext. 325 | 819-639-6414
mfitzgerald@waterpolo.ca
www.waterpolo.ca