Updated 4-3-2010
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should participate in the Olympic Development Program?
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is the entry point for USA Water Polo girl’s and boy’s Youth and Junior National Teams. Participant ages are 11th grade and younger.
What is the Olympic Development Program?
The Olympic Development Program serves as the primary feeder system for USA Water Polo’s Junior and Youth National Teams. The foundation of the program is a systematic approach to athlete, coach and referee development through a year round training program that focuses on long term development.
When are tryouts for the Olympic Development Program?
The 2011 schedule for tryouts is being determined. More information will be posted. 8th grade and U tryouts may occur in the Spring of 2011. All other tryouts will occur at the first training of the 2011 ODP season. Schedules will be posted on zone websites via the ODP page on the USA Water Polo website.
(School year is determined by the year in school an athlete will be in the Fall of 2010.)
If an athlete was on a training team in Phase 3, they will start Phase ODP 2011 in the Fall or Winter of 2011. This applies to all age groups. Phase 3 athletes are not guaranteed to make the 2011 team.
Where are tryouts for the Olympic Development Program?
Tryouts are located all over the country. Please see your zone homepage on the USWP ODP website for more information or contact your ODP Zone Coordinator.
Are there tryout fees?
Tryout fees are $120 and include 12 hours of training. (Or $10 per hour depending on the total hours)
Do athletes have to have a USA Water Polo membership to participate in ODP?
Yes, all ODP athletes must have a current GOLD USA Water Polo membership.
Can you explain the phases of the Olympic Development Program?
The Olympic Development Program will be implemented in two phases.
Phase 2: June 1st, 2009 - May 31st, 2010 Phase 3: July 1st, 2010 – May 31st, 2011
· ODP operates on a 2-year cycle following FINA age categories
· Phase 2 ends July 1, 2010
· Phase 3 starts September 2010 – May 2011
Training Hours
Phase 2 (June 1st, 2009 – May 31st, 2010): ODP Training Teams will train and compete for a total of 60 hours
· Some teams may not be able to train in the same location for all the
training hours due to geographical challenges
o Those teams/athletes will train at selected times in their respective geographical areas to complete their training hours
Why should I participate in the Olympic Development Program?
Olympic Development Program Slogan: ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE
ODP Top 12 PRINCIPLES:
· Raise college profile
· Respect for the Game
· Year round training for long term improvement
· Nationalize water polo
· Train and compete with and against the best players in the USA Water Polo
· Feeder system for the National Teams
· Systematic Athlete, Coach and Referee instruction
· Progressive and Evaluative Standards
· Top quality coaches
· Opportunity to be seen by National Teams Coaches
· Opportunity to compete at the ODP Championships
· Learn the American System of Play
Are their fees involved with ODP?
Yes.
For Phase 3, each ODP training team athlete will have a training fee of $640. The payment chart is posted under new announcements.
What do the training fees cover?
All fees go directly to the expenses and operations of the Olympic Development Program, which is augmented by direct and indirect support from the United States Olympic Committee and from USA Water Polo.
The purpose of implementing a fee structure is to ensure the ODP programs provide adequate and uniform training and competition across the nation, as well as serious evaluation, mentoring and education all direct towards the development of ODP athletes, coaches and referees.
Fees help support ODP Major Initiatives:
- ODP Summit for ODP Coaches, Referees and Coordinators
- ODP Championship Team Travel: all expenses for coaches and referees and hotel and ground transportation for each athlete
- ODP Coaches Mentoring Program: Assign Olympic Development and/or National Teams Staff to ODP Training Teams
- Olympic Development and National Teams Staffs visits to ODP Teams
- Grant in Aid Program
- ODP Coaches Stipends
- Olympic Development Training Centers
- On-Line Coaches and Referees Education
- ODP Instructional Videos
- Opportunity for ODP Coaches and Referees to visit National Teams training and competition
- Move the management of ODP to USAWP and the Olympic Development Department
Are there any grants that I can apply for that will help pay for the training fees?
Yes. An ODP Grant is available for athletes who are unable to afford the training fees. The grant application can be found on-line at www.usawaterpolo.org. (Under the ODP logo)
Should athletes who are selected for an ODP training team continue to participate with their club team as well?
Yes. All athletes selected for an ODP Training Team are required to be a member of a USAWP Club team. One of the primary goals of the Olympic Development Program is the USAWP Club System will be the feeder system for ODP. In addition, ODP is working in conjunction with the Club’s to ensure a coordinated calendar. The better our clubs are the better the Olympic Development Program will be.
How many hours will the ODP training teams train?
48 Hours total: 32 hours training plus 16 or more hours for the Regional Championship
How many athletes will be selected to an ODP zone training team?
Each training team will consist of a maximum of 36 players - 46 players, depending on the zone and it's overall participation. Numbers will be determined by the NTD.
How many athletes will be selected to the ODP Regional Championship team?
A maximum of 28 players will be selected, 14 players on two teams
Will athletes have any additional expenses if they are chosen to the ODP Regional Championship team?
USA Water Polo will cover the cost of each athlete’s lodging and ground transportation at the ODP Championship. All other expenses such as flights, meals and apparel are the responsibility of each athlete.
How are the Youth and Cadet National teams chosen?
Youth level, 70 athletes from the ODP Championships will be invited to attend a National Youth Training camp. From this training camp, athletes will be selected to be a part of the National Youth Team and will have the opportunity to be selected to attend the Youth World Championships in the summer of 2012.
Cadet level, 70 athletes from the ODP Championships will be invited to attend a National Cadet Training camp.
Development level, 70 athletes from the 8th grade and Under Championships will be invited to attend a National Development Training Camp.
The staffs of the Olympic Development Program and National Teams are responsible for scouting zone, regional and national tournaments, competitions and trainings where they will be looking for players to invite to train with the respective ODP training teams. Also, the Olympic Development Program will hold periodic ODP Training Zone tryouts to ensure that all athletes have an opportunity to participate. In addition, athletes can be nominated for the program by their USA Water Polo Club Coach to be considered for an ODP training team, since club participation is a critical aspect of overall development.
If an athlete is chosen for the Development, Cadet, Youth or Junior National Team, will there be any additional fundraising commitments?
Yes. Athletes selected for the Youth or Junior National training camps will have an additional obligation through our a-thon system of fundraising. Youth and Junior athletes will be required to raise $500 and $1,000 respectively. If an athlete is also selected for the Junior World Championships team, the athlete will have an additional Golf Tournament fundraising goal.
I still have more questions about the Olympic Development Program. Who do I contact?
1. Zone Related Questions, please contact your ODP Zone Coach or ODP Zone Coordinator
2. Administrative questions, please contact the Operations Manager, Anne Laurence at alaurence@usawaterpolo.org
3. For further questions related to the teams, coaches, etc. Please contact James Lathrop at Jlathrop@usawaterpolo.org for the Boys and keverist@usawaterpolo.org for the girls.