Please find below information receieved via email from WPQ 13 August 2021 - the referred to "attached spreadsheet" has been kept confidential 

Dear BWPI Clubs, Associations and Teams,

Thank you to all of the Clubs, Associations and Schools that completed the recent BWPI Competition Survey. The results have been collated and analysed and appear in the attached spreadsheet. A total of 17 responses were received from 7 Clubs/Associations and 10 Schools which is a very strong response rate so thankyou for taking the time to complete this important survey. The responses highlighted in green show a clear majority and attached is the presentation from the Club/School meetings which formed the basis of the survey.

BWPI and WPQ met last Friday to discuss the results of the survey and to confirm the proposed details and changes for the 2021/2022 BWPI Competition. We understand there are some varying views presented in the survey but we have considered all responses and will be guided by the clear majority of responses in most cases. BWPI and WPQ have also decided to trial a few new changes to try to achieve the key outcomes of the competition being:

OUTCOMES

• Build the quality of the competition for players, coaches and referees
• Align the competition with the WPQ & WPA Competitions & Events and Pathway & Development frameworks
• Deliver the competition in consistent manner with other Regional, State & National competitions
• Achieve sufficient access to affordable pool space and equipment
• Achieve effective and sustainable outcomes for athlete, coach, referee and official development
• Implement a seamless transition from junior to senior water polo - A grade competition Sat afternoon and a B grade and C grade competition on a Mon and Tues nights
• Build the depth and number of coaches, referees and officials
• Deliver and manage the competition with paid staff in a cost effective, efficient, structured and professional manner
• Facilitate the growth and development of Clubs and Schools – players and volunteers

2021/2022 JUNIOR COMPETITION DETAILS & PROPOSED CHANGES

• Competition will run for a total of 16 weeks as follows:
  • Sat 9 Oct to 27 November (8 weeks)
  • Sat 29 Jan, 2022 to 19 March (8 weeks including finals – SF 12 March and GF 19 March)
• Competition to consolidate 17s and 18s division as a trial for this season with a review at the end of the 2021/2022 season

• Ideally locate 16A and 18A boys at the Valley to assist with refereeing (dependent upon team nominations across all divisions & genders)
• Clubs and schools to not be limited to one team per age division – a reliable and robust grading process to be implemented
• Re-grading will occur after week 8 (completion of first part of competition)
• Divisions to remain as is (A, B and C etc) and not include a social division
• Considered implementing ‘pools’ for larger divisions. Focus to remain on providing quality competition in each division rather than a focus primarily on number of teams in each division
• Coaches should be encouraged to referee where possible/available – understand that many coaches coach multiple teams - not implementing
• Clubs and Schools will need to provide 1 referee for every 2 teams entered (or accommodate the equivalent number of games per weekend, ie. Referees officiate 2 games each)
• Clubs and School to be more responsible for the development of referees – BWPI and WPQ can assist in training and developing referees at Club/School training sessions/matches
• $100 bond per team will not be implemented this season but a fine system to be explored – to cover set up/pack up responsibilities, provision of referees & trained table officials, coach behaviour, etc
• Athletes to play no more than 2 games per weekend with an exemption process to be considered if team / player numbers are limited
  • Exemptions may be requested due to low team numbers
  • Low Team numbers Rule
    • The Team the Athlete is playing up into has only 1 team of that age division
    • The Team below has only 1 team in that age division.
• All divisions in the Juniors to have a 45 minute time slot allocations
• 12s divisions for both divisions to align with WPQ and WPA competition rules (no shot clocks, smaller balls and goals) for Saturday games. BWPI to look at purchasing 2 a sets of junior goals
• Consider scheduling all 12s boys and girls games at Stuartholme or Somerville (TBC)
• All 13s Girls to be run at St. Margaret’s (limited to girls at this venue due to limited facilities for boys)
• Support the 12s and 13s divisions having finals
• Teams from Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast to still be included in competition
• Table Officials to be offered more training – BWPI/WPQ to assist with delivering practical Table Official courses for Clubs/Schools
• QAS/Qld Thunder athletes to be asked if they can be more involved – Aleks to discuss with Benn and the Qld Thunder/QAS Athletes
• White caps team will be responsible for set up/pack up for the first and last games of the day. PCs to educate all Teams on correct set up/pack up procedure
• Review the PD for Pool Coordinators (PCs) and appoint more mature PCs
• Paid staff member to run competition with WPQ Staff. Person employed by WPQ and work out of the WPQ office to provide more support in running the competition
• Develop a PD for the BWPI Competition Co-ordinator role and look to secure federal Apprenticeship funding for the role. Position to be advertised ASAP with an independent interview panel appointed

Further information about the BWPI competition will be distributed shortly.