Australian State Championships an invaluable development opportunity for NZWP Competition Manager

Jhanna Savov, one of our new Competition Managers, recently travelled to the Gold Coast as part of the coaching and management team for the Australian National State Championships. Relatively new to the water polo community, the trip was not only a valuable learning and development opportunity to see how Water Polo Australia operates but also a great chance for Jhanna to engage with the sport and athletes from the perspective of a team manager.

A couple of weeks after the championships, we spoke with Jhanna about her time on the Gold Coast and her biggest learnings from this experience.

While she initially thought the championships would largely illuminate ways in which New Zealand Water Polo could learn from our Australian neighbours to run competitions better, it also ended up providing insight into how New Zealand Water Polo can streamline processes across the organisation to maximise the experiences of all those involved in international tours.

From a competition perspective, Jhanna was impressed with the way in which Water Polo Australia facilitated an open line of respectful communication between referees and coaches. Coaches were allowed to clarify certain calls, whether through the referees themselves or a delegate who mitigated any tension. Coaches were also alerted about certain calls that the referees noted a lot of teams were doing and may not have been aware of. This approach meant that coaches and referees alike felt as though they were valued and ensured everyone was on the same page working together, creating a cooperative learning experience for all involved.

Water Polo Australia’s top-notch communication with teams did not go unnoticed. There were plenty of opportunities to provide feedback and collaborate, which ensured a positive experience for all.

However, what Jhanna enjoyed most about this experience was connecting with the athletes and giving them the opportunity to perform at their best. She highlighted the value of tours like this for the development of our young athletes, with a whopping 16 games played over ten days of competition, providing many opportunities for athletes to play and learn in a positive environment. Jhanna explained,

“Having the tri-series was a great opportunity for our New Zealand teams to acclimatise to the Australian competition. Our U15 girls’ team was selected close to the tournament, so the pre-tournament gave them some valuable pool time together as a team, which we then saw further develop throughout the rest of the tour.”

The length of the tour instilled resilience and persistence amongst the teams, with adaptability, tenacity and a positive team culture crucial to maintaining a high level of competitiveness.

Not only was it an opportunity for Jhanna to network with organisations like Water Polo Australia and Water Polo Queensland, but it was also great to see the players connect with their trans-Tasman neighbours in a positive environment.

When asked about her biggest take away from her time at the Australian National State Championships, she highlighted the value of collaboration – whether with the other water polo bodies or amongst New Zealand teams. Jhanna explains,

“The internal coaching and management team were incredible role models for the athletes and myself. I learned so much from their collaborative approach. They worked together to create a supportive and safe environment outside the pool, which was reflected by their success in the pool. The way the New Zealand and Australian teams supported one another and celebrated each other’s achievements was evident throughout, setting the tone for a positive and cohesive competition culture.”

Jhanna is excited to build on these learnings and integrate them into her role at New Zealand Water Polo.