Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
My child can swim, but hasn't played water polo before - will this program suit them?
Yes! We welcome children of all skill levels, including those who haven't yet played water polo. Our juniors program consists of training sessions and games, which is great for skills development. Basic swim skills are necessary for water polo.
What does my child need to bring to water polo training and games?
Required:
- Appropriate swimwear. For girls, this should be a one-piece swimsuit.
- Towel
- Water bottle
Optional:
- Mouthguard
- Goggles, to use during warm-up laps only
Do I need to purchase a club uniform for my child?
No. While we do have club merchandise available, including swimwear, this is not a requirement for attending club-level training or games.
Children who represent Illawarra Water Polo at tournaments may be required to wear team swimwear, depending on the tournament rules. Other club merchandise, such as t-shirts, are optional but encouraged as they are great for team spirit!
What happens if it's raining?
Light rain allows an in-pool session to continue as normal! During heavy rain or thunderstorms, we try to provide an indoor alternative including: game-play theory, team building and dry land drills. Parents will be updated on the day via our parents groupchat or email.
How do I join the parents group chat?
Please approach one of our coaches or our Junior Competition Director, Lucy Conway, before or after training and they will be able to add you!
How do team allocations work?
On Mondays, there will be 3 training groups:
- U12s shallow end
- U12s deep end
- U14s - U16s deep end
On Wednesdays, children will be sorted into evenly-matched teams to play a game within their age group e.g. U12s shallow end v U12s shallow end. At this stage, teams will not be fixed from week-to-week. Which means your child will play with (and against) different children each week, how fun!
Do I have to stay for my child's training and games?
We encourage you to watch your child as they progress and learn new skills! Our coaches may also need an extra set of hands to help set up and pack away.
Can I bring a whole team to Illawarra Water Polo?
Yes! We welcome individual players as well as whole teams. If you would like to enter a team into our juniors program, please email us at info@illwp.com or have a chat with our Junior Competition Coordinator, Lucy Conway.
