Our training schedule is carefully planned in line with New Zealand Water Polo (NZWP) Nationals, ensuring players have dedicated time to prepare for these important competitions.
Therfore age groups do not train all year, this approach allows us to provide fair access to training while helping players peak at the right time for national events.
The perfect entry point to Canterbury Water Polo. We focus on building confidence, foundational skills, and a love for the game in a supportive environment.
2026 Season Quick Facts
Eligibility: Open to all players aged 11 and under (as of 1st Jan 2026). Primarily Years 6–7.
Training Schedule: Dates & Times via the calendar or training schedule at the bottom of the page (Updates via the Heja App).
Training in terms Term 1, Term 3 & Term 4
Registrations: Open now via the button at the bottom of the page
Key Event: Future Stars Festival
Dates: Saturday 24th Oct – Monday 26th Oct 2026
Location: Hamilton
Estimated Cost: $1,500 per player (Includes flights; team travels together).
Note: Players must also register with NZWP to be eligible for National Tournaments.
What Players Will Learn
Swim Fitness: Improving endurance, speed, and pool technique.
Essential Skills: Passing, shooting, and ball handling drills.
Game Play: Understanding rules, positioning, and teamwork.
Coaching & Management
Head Coach: Laura Hammond
Assistant Coaches: Daniel Pearce, Lucy Hamilton, Zoe Crosbie, Abbey McCormack-Young, Bailey Hood, Levi Fitzgerald & Stevi Cooper.
Manager: We are currently seeking an Age Group Manager for 2026!
U14 Programme (Born 2012 or later)
Bridging the gap between foundation and competition. The U14 programme builds on fundamental skills while introducing players to structured gameplay and competitive opportunities. Designed for athletes aged 13 and under (as of 1st Jan 2026), we focus on teamwork, game strategy, and fitness to prepare players for the next stage of their water polo journey.
2026 Season Quick Facts
Eligibility: Primarily Years 8–9 (Open to all players aged 13 and under as of 1st Jan 2026).
Skill Level: All levels welcome—from developing players to those ready for high-level competition.
Training Schedule: Dates & Times via the calendar or training schedule at the bottom of the page (Updates via the Heja App).
Training in terms: Term 3 & Term 4
Registrations: Will open towards the end of term 2.
NZWP Club U14 National Championships
Participation in National tournaments requires additional registration through New Zealand Water Polo (NZWP).
Division 2 (Boys & Girls): Thu 10 Dec – Sun 13 Dec 2026 | Auckland
Division 1 (Boys & Girls): Mon 14 Dec – Thu 17 Dec 2026 | Auckland
Local Leagues: Canterbury local match play opportunities run throughout the season.
What We Focus On
Tactical Awareness: Moving from basic skills to understanding positional play and team systems.
Structured Gameplay: Learning to execute plays and strategies in match situations.
Conditioning: Building the swim fitness required for competitive four-quarter games.
Coaching & Management
Head Coach: Cooper Stewart (Boys) - Darius Porter (Girls)
Age Group Manager: 2026 Expressions of interest are now open! We are looking for managers to support our U14 teams.
U16 Programme (Born 2010 or later)
Refining skill, strategy, and competitive edge. The U16 programme focuses on tactical awareness and high-level game strategy. Open to athletes aged 15 and under (as of 1st Jan 2026), this programme provides a direct pathway into senior and representative water polo.
2026 Season Quick Facts
Eligibility: Primarily Years 10–11 (Open to all players aged 15 and under as of 1st Jan 2026).
Training Schedule: Dates & Times via the calendar or training schedule at the bottom of the page (Updates via the Heja App).
Training in terms: Term 2 & Term 3
Registrations: Will open towards the end of term 1.
What We Focus On
Advanced Swim Fitness: Building the specific endurance and explosive speed required for high-level match play.
Technical Refinement: Precision passing, shooting under pressure, and advanced ball handling.
Tactical Depth: Deepening understanding of positioning, complex rules, and team-based decision making.
NZWP Club U16 National Championships
Note: Players must also register with NZWP to compete in National Tournaments.
Division 2 (Boys & Girls): Wed 7 Oct – Sat 10 Oct 2026 | Hawke's Bay
Division 1 (Boys & Girls): Thu 8 Oct – Sun 11 Oct 2026 | Christchurch
⚠️ Travel Update: Unlike previous years, CWP will not be booking group flights for 2026. Players are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
Coaching & Management
U16 Boys Team
Head Coach: Tim Chambers
Assistant Coach: Matt Anderson
Manager: Expressions of Interest Open
U16 Girls Team
Head Coach: Blake Richards
Assistant Coach: Bailey Hood
Manager: Expressions of Interest Open
U18 Programme (Born 2007 or later)
Advanced performance and pathway development. The U18 programme is designed for athletes aspiring to compete at a high level. We focus on elite conditioning, advanced tactical systems, and match awareness to prepare players for senior, national, and international opportunities.
2026 Season Quick Facts
Eligibility: Primarily Years 12–13 (Open to all players aged 17 and under as of 1st Jan 2026).
Training Schedule: Dates & Times via the calendar or training schedule at the bottom of the page (Updates via the Heja App).
Training in terms: Term 1 & Term 2
Registrations: Now open via the link at the bottom of the page
What We Focus On
Elite Conditioning: Developing water polo-specific strength, stamina, and explosive speed.
Technical Mastery: High-pressure ball handling, precision shooting, and defensive specialisation.
Strategic Gameplay: Advanced positioning and team strategies to improve in-game decision-making.
NZWP Club 18U National Championships
Note: Players must also register with NZWP to compete in National Tournaments.
⚠️ Travel Update: Unlike previous years, CWP will not be booking group flights for 2026. Players are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
Coaching & Management
U18 Boys Team
Head Coach: Blake Richards
Assistant Coach: Josh Persico
Manager: TBC / Expressions of Interest Open
U18 Girls Team
Head Coach: Csaba Rull
Assistant Coach: Scarlett Goldsworthy
Manager: TBC / Expressions of Interest Open
U21 Programme (Born 2005 or later)
Bridging the gap to Senior excellence. The U21 programme is designed for athletes transitioning into senior competition. We focus on high-performance conditioning, advanced tactical execution, and elite skill refinement for players striving for club, national, or international success.
2026 Season Quick Facts
Eligibility: Designed for players aged 18 to 21 (Born 2005–2008).
Training Schedule: Dates & Times via the calendar or training schedule at the bottom of the page (Updates via the Heja App).
Training in terms: Term 1 & Term 2
Registrations: Now open via the link at the bottom of the page
What We Focus On
High-Performance Conditioning: Focused on the strength, speed, and stamina required for elite-level match play.
Skill Sharpening: Precision passing, powerful shooting, and tactical ball control under high-pressure situations.
Strategic Mastery: Deepening understanding of team dynamics, complex positioning, and advanced match decision-making.
NZWP Club 21U National Championships
Note: Players must also register with NZWP to compete in National Tournaments.
21U Men: Thu 9 Jul – Sun 12 Jul 2026 | Auckland
21U Women: Thu 9 Jul – Sun 12 Jul 2026 | Auckland
⚠️ Travel Update: Unlike previous years, CWP will not be booking group flights for 2026. Players are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
Coaching & Management
U21 Men's Team
Head Coach: Ferdinando Verolino
Assistant Coach: Lachlan Frazer
Manager: TBC / Expressions of Interest Open
U21 Women's Team
Head Coach: Csaba Rull
Assistant Coach: Josef Power
Manager: TBC / Expressions of Interest Open
Seniors (Born 2007 or later)
Competitive and social water polo at the highest level. Canterbury Water Polo offers a pathway for experienced athletes and those returning to the sport. Our senior programme focuses on elite fitness, tactical mastery, and national competition, providing a place for everyone to stay connected to the game and the community.
2026 Season Quick Facts
Eligibility: Senior Men and Women (Open Age).
Training Schedule: Dates & Times via the calendar or training schedule at the bottom of the page (Updates via the Heja App).
Training in terms: Term 1 & Term 2
Registrations: Now open via the link at the bottom of the page
What We Focus On
Peak Conditioning: High-performance swim fitness to sustain intensity in competitive match play.
Training Schedule: Visit the Calendar tab or Training schedule button below.
Communication: Invite codes for the Heja App are sent upon registration.
Fees: Invoices must be paid within 7 days.
Pool Entry: Not included in training fees; payable at the venue.
Withdrawals: A $15 administration fee applies if an invoice has already been issued.
Training in term 1 - Seniors, U21, U18 & U12s
Nationals Team Naming Schedule
U18 and U21 Teams: Named between 20th April – 26th April
U12 and U16 Teams: Named between 20th July – 26th July
U14 Teams: Named between 21st September – 27th September
Fees
Fees for Term 1
Senior Women/U21 Women $425
U18 Girls $375 ($425 if invited to train with the Senior women on a Saturday)
Senior Men Div 1 ONLY $425
Senior Men Div 2 & U21 $375
U18 Boys $200
U12s $150
While we would love to have all age groups training year-round, we unfortunately face pool space constraints that make this impossible. To ensure every team is prepared, we have aligned our term schedules with the NZWP tournament calendar. This allows us to prioritise training blocks for each age group in the lead-up to their respective Nationals
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