As part of the recent development in Sri Lanka Water Polo ‘FINA’ has awarded Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) with an Advanced Water Polo Coaches Clinic.
FINA is the World governing body for Aquatic sports and Sri Lanka Water Polo has been awarded an Advanced Water Polo Coaches Clinic after 2007.
The program was held under the expertise of Tom Hoad. Program started on the 18th and ended on the 24th November. Nineteen active coaches representing all leading schools and clubs have registered for the clinic. Tom Hoad has also taken his time in Sri Lanka to work with the National Water Polo Squad to improve their talents.
Tom Hoad is one of the most respected Water Polo players in the World. Hoad represented Australia four times at Olympic Games in 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972. He was appointed as the Captain of the Australia Water Polo team from 1964 to 1972. He then went on to coach team Australia at four more Olympics Games in 1976, 1980, 1984 and 1988.
In 1968 Tom Hoad was appointed to the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and was appointed as the Chairman of the 1998 World Swimming Championship held in Perth, Western Australia. He currently coaches juniors at Melville and at a state level in WA.
Hoad coached the ‘Fremantle Mariners’ to three Australian National League titles out of an unprecedented nine consecutive grand final appearances.
He was a University of Western Australia sports star in 1964.
The Tom Hoad Cup is an international Water Polo cup named in his honour. First held in 2003, it is played annually in Perth with International teams participation.
The Water Polo Clinic is organized as part of FINA Water Polo Development Program.
