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Funding for international squads confirmed for 2019 -

We have just received a statement from Ian Elliot, Chair of the Water Polo Management Group about Swim England funding for water polo in England next year, which has been issued in response to recent community concern about the lack of financial support for our sport, and suggestions that the Senior men’s and women’s England/GBR squads were to be terminated.

Ian tells us, “I can confirm that the Swim England budget for water polo for 2019 is being maintained at a level which will support the national programmes for the U17, U19 and Senior Squads along with the National Academy. Sport England talent funding for Water Polo ceases from 31 March 2019, however the Swim England Board has approved investment into the talent programme at a level commensurate with previous funding to ensure that the talent programme can continue as before.

Our partnership with Manchester City Council continues, and Swim England has again committed annual funding in 2019 to support training at their excellent facilities. This is over and above the investment from Swim England into the talent programme.

Manchester has a Sport Policy of investment in sports with ambition over time, and wants to work with all aspects of our national sport strategy; from grassroots development right up to support of the national programmes, including hosting future international events (allowing our athletes to compete on home ground).

While there has been considerable debate around the senior programme and possible entry to the Senior LEN European Championships, following a full financial costing based upon the entry conditions and consultation with both the men’s and women’s squads, it was concluded that the forecast financial contribution expected of athletes would be prohibitively high, and therefore we have not entered these events for this European cycle.

However we can confirm that entries have been submitted to LEN for the Junior U17 European Championships in 2019 for both male and female squads, and an application to host the Qualification event for the men in Manchester during May has been made.

Entries have also be agreed for the Senior Women’s invitational event in Portugal this month, and the FISU World University Games 2019 entry for both Men and Women teams has the backing of British Swimming with the FISU decision on entry to be published in February next year. With EU Nations events to come as well, we look forward to a busy and successful 2019.”

2 responses to “Funding for international squads confirmed for 2019”

  1. That’s great news 🙂

  2. Chris says:

    This is great news for both the domestic and international progression of this wonderful TEAM sport. Well done to all involved.

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