BUCS Water Polo Sports Management Group

15 April 2011 held in the BUCS Office, London

Minutes

Present: Mike Clarke (Chair), Chris Ducker, Mark Taylor, Chris Henning, Tom Gee (Sports Manager)

Apologies: None

Actions

1) Review of season 2010/11

99 teams (55 male and 54 female) took part in BUCS Water Polo leagues. Throughout the season there were 7 withdrawals (4 male and 3 female). The finals were held at Walsall Gala Baths between 19-20 March. Manchester won both the Men’s and Women’s Championship. Although the season was successfully completed a number of issues have been raised throughout the season which included:

 Playing matches in round robin format means students Chris D to approach not playing outside BUCS potentially only play one British National weekend a season Water Polo league to  There are very few matches that have the number of appoint referees, officials to meet FINA regulations table officials and permanent delegates  A number of matches weren’t played for semi finals and finals

2) Proposed league restructure

The group discussed a proposal to restructure the leagues from TG to produce a Chris Henning. The group agreed that the leagues need to be number of options for restructured however no firm consensus was found. The the competition challenge is to find a structure that ensures the best teams, structure often with players in the national league, play each other in a high quality structure whilst giving players in the lower leagues enough opportunities to play and keep them interested in the game. It was agreed that the restructure should take into account existing BUCS boundaries. Any restructure would be implemented for 2012/13 at the earliest but would need to be agreed prior to the league season 2011/12 ready for clubs

3) Planning for season 2011/12

TG confirmed that the preference is to hold the finals as part of the BUCS Championships and at Ponds Forge. Discussions are ongoing with the venue to see if this is possible.

The group recommended that 2 pitches should be used to reduce the pressure on the number of matches played. The group also requested that the quality of the goals are checked before the event

4) Balls

The group recommended that Mikasa balls should be used for the semi finals and finals. Seven (minimum five) size 5 and seven (minimum five) size 4 balls are required.

5) BUCS Water Polo Strategy

TG reported that BUCS is developing strategies for each sport. TG has 23 sports to develop strategies and therefore the aim is to have the water polo strategy completed for July 2012.

6) Proposal for a Southern Universities Water Polo League

CD presented a proposal by two students to develop a league in TG to investigate and the south west to offer more games for teams in a season. CD report back to CD has asked whether BUCS can endorse the league and if it would be covered under BUCS’ insurance. TG reported that this is not something that had been done before and would need some investigation