ICF Athletes Representative- minimum number of games at World Championships.

[Duncan Cochrane]

Having recently been reappointed to the ICF as the Athlete's Representative for Canoe Polo, I am very keen to hear of any questions or concerns that the players world wide may have.
Several issues have already been raised including various aspects of the new rules like the new corner signal and tie breaker shootout and athletes elgibility for World Championships if they change country of residence.
Another issue that has just been raised is "What is the minimum number of gamess a team should play at the World Championships?"
In Australia all teams play a minimum of 6 games at our major championships. At the 2000 World Championships in Brazil some teams only played 5 games, depite many thousands of dollars being spent and many months/years of training.
What do the players of the world think? How many games is enough?
Please contact me or post a reply so I can present this and all other issues to the ICF Polo Committee.
Duncan Cochrane
ICF Athletes Commission

[conor]

Hi Duncan,
I agree with the principle of a minimum number of games at major championships. In Brazil the Irish ladies team had 5 games over the entire compretition. As a result of a number of teams pulling out, it meant that by winning one game in the froup stage it was possible to progress to the second round. For all the preperation that goes into the competitions by players and managment, it was a bit disappointing to play so few top class games when there were opposition availible. Even if a seperate pool could be provided where challange games could be organised between countries. As a coach I would have liked the opportunity to have had the team I was coaching play against teams of similar standard when the opportunity arose. To date this has not been possible. These games could take place before the comp as warm up games or after both teams have been eliminated or both teams are sure they cannot meet later in the competition.

Another problem I saw at Brazil was the lack of facilities for teams to store gear at the comp site. It should be necessary to provide individual team changing rooms for the entire duration of the competition. It was a bit un-nerving having to leave gear in the stands where the general public can come in and have peoples canoeing kit, money & belongings in the open. It all leads to the possibility of having belongs stolen. It also gives teams an ideal area for team meetings etc.

That's my bit for now.

Conor