Kellogg's Swim Active LEN European Nations Trophy, Manchester 2007 Legacy programme

The LEN European Nations Trophy is an excellent opportunity to showcase Water Polo through a major international event.

The legacy programme has been designed to extend before and beyond the competition and to enthuse a lot of young volunteers who would not normally have become involved in Water Polo.

The legacy programme is focuses on two strands:

1. Engaging more young children in actively participating in sports
2. Actively supporting more young people in volunteering

Supported by Kellogg's Swim Active, a 12 team mini-polo tournament will take place on the morning of Friday 13th July to mirror the different Nations in the competing in the actual tournament . The teams will consist of local primary school children, many of whom will have never played mini-polo!* before. Nine of the finalists will qualify from 3 partnership finals, whilst 3 will be source from the Northwest area.

The three area finals will be held in conjunction with the Partnership Development Competition Managers in north, central & south. The finalists will then receive a block of after school training before the final competition.

Thirty-Six young people from Manchester Sports colleges have been identified through the partnership to become involved in the volunteering programme. These Volunteers have undertaken a training day at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on all aspects or hosting a mini-polo tournament including:- Team manager, Referee, coach, announce,  produce results, play-zone manage.

These volunteers will direct their partnership area finals and the Grand final, under the guidance and mentoring of Manchester Leisure’s Head Water Polo Coach and Development Officer, mini-polo! community coaches and National Team players. Other training opportunities will be available to them throughout the year including secondary school tournaments, the Greater Manchester Youth Games, community after school sessions as well as additional coaching for the area winners.

The Kellogg's Swim Active legacy programme has been created in partnership with Manchester Leisure Sports Development, Swim North West, Amateur Swimming Association and the Partnership Development Managers and Competition Managers in order to create a sustainable programme which will continue after 2007.


Tournament winners Great Britain
(photo: Wolfgang Phillips)

*mini-polo! was established about 6 years ago to introduce young people of primary school age the fundamentals of Water Polo but also of general aquatic skills.