Latest News

Level 5 Restrictions

Ireland has once more returned to Lockdown. This new lockdown has brought with it new restrictions on how we can partake in our sport.

The key guidelines for Level 5, including the new updates from the government are –

No group training. Individual training only within 5km from your home. With specific exemptions
Non-contact training can continue for school aged children, outdoors in pods of 15
No matches are events
The use of indoor facilities is not permitted

Please review and follow the guidelines outlined by Canoeing Ireland https://www.canoe.ie/2020/10/20/level-5-restrictions-paddlesports-guidelines/

We would like to formally invite all members to the canoe polo AGM being held on 19th October 2020 at 7:00pm. Due to the current restrictions as a result of the Coivd-19 pandemic we will be doing a virtual AGM. If you wish to attend please send an email with your name and your Canoe Ireland Membership card to secretary@canoepolo.ie no later than 14th October 2020. Valid members will receive a link to the virtual meeting the day before(18th October).

The following positions will be available:

Chairperson (2 year)
Treasurer(2 year)
Secretary(1 year)
Child Protection Officer(1 year)
Ordinary member 1 ( 1 year)
Ordinary member 2 ( 2 year)

Please send nominations for any of the above positions to chair@canoepolo.ie no later than 9th October 2020

Any motions or proposals should be sent to chair@canoepolo.ie no later than 9th October 2020

OVERLOAD !

Registrations are open for ‘Overload 2020’ a two day intensive training camp for Junior Canoe Polo players being held in Mullingar Harbour (https://mullingarcanoepolo.com) on 15th and 16th August 2020. Players between 8 and 18 are welcome – you must be a member of Canoeing Ireland or CANI.

The weekend promises to be a packed with learning, polo skills development, game play and a lot of fun.

To find out more and register click here

Covid 19 – Phase 3

Covid 19 - Returning to Polo - Phase 3

Per announcement by the government last week, we note that from June 29th (subject to Government Approval to enter Phase 3), the following applies :

‘Close Contact Sports are allowed – this means Polo training, games and matches can be played in ROI

Outdoor gatherings of up to 200 (and 500 from July 20th) are allowed

Off the water – Social distancing, Hygiene and Contact Tracing guidelines remain in place. If your club did not take part in the recent Canoeing ireland COVID free workshops, , you should ensure that club organisers and Coaches inform themselves, by for example taking this course https://www.sportireland.ie/covid19/course

Club houses. Some of you have asked whether Club boat houses, changing rooms etc. can be re-opened from the 29th, we have asked for clarification and will advise when we get confirmation. In any event, please remember that Social Distancing and Hygiene guidelines remain in place.

There are a myriad of documents floating around from HSPC, HSE, Government sources, many are undated and some are now out of date – THIS is the most recent high level document put out by government and the one on which we have based the above summary.

The priority at all times must be to protect the health and welfare of all those involved in Canoe Polo, their families and the wider community. Polo clubs are all run by volunteers and everyone has a responsibility to play a part in minimizing the risk.

Please following canoe.ie/covid for resources and further updates from Canoeing Ireland

Events

We are working to (re) schedule the following National Events.

Overload! – August 15th and 16th at Mullingar Harbour

Club Championships – (rescheduled) – will hope this will now take place 22nd and 23rd August at Mullingar Harbour (subject to Waterways Ireland Confirmation)

Irish Open – (will be rescheduled) – will be moved to September in Belfast (subject to confirmation, and NI Covid-19 Protocols)

Covid 19 – Phase 2 Guidelines

COVID 19 – Phase 2 impact for Canoe Polo

As we enter Phase 2, the Government Expert Group, Canoeing Ireland and HSE have published documents all relevant to our sport (references below)

We summarise below the major impact for Canoe Polo players and clubs during Phase 2 commencing Monday 8th June, 2020.

TRAINING ACTIVITY ONLY – Phase 2 allows goup training, but NOT Polo matches or gameplay. So in practical terms this means paddling drills, fitness drills or ball drills where each player has their own unshared ball. All participants must be able to self rescue so no beginners.

CONTACT TRACING – You can now train in groups of up to 15, to include coaches. Club organisers/group leaders should keep a log of all training session attendees, including contact details, to facilitate contact tracing if necessary.

SOCIAL DISTANCING AND HYGIENE – Nothing has changed in terms of the requirement to be at least 2 meters apart on and off the water. This means no boat to boat contact or tackling drills. All participants should adhere to the existing guidelines on hand and respiratory hygiene. Wash or sanitise hands prior to training and immediately after. Cover your nose and mouth if sneezing or coughing.

GOING TRAINING – You are allowed to travel to training anywhere in your county (or outside your county subject to a maximum of 20km). Do not share the transport to training with others outside your household. Do not congregate before or after training – 2m social distancing to be maintained at all times. Do not train if you feel unwell or become unwell during training.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT – Sharing of equipment should be avoided.

PHASE 3 – Phase 3 details have not yet been announced. The Government expert group is working with NGBs and will provide further Return to Play guidelines as we near phase 3 & 4.

For your reference here are supporting documents with more detail on each of the above.

Canoeing Ireland – Return an Paddling – https://canoe.ie/2020/05/13/return-to-paddling-guidelines/

Government Appointed Expert Group on Sport (6th June) – https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2020-06/expert-group-on-return-to-sport-guidance-document.pdf

HSE – more detail on social distancing and Hygiene – https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

Covid 19 – Phase 1 Guidelines

As the COVID19 restrictions are gradually eased, we hope to be able to resume some Canoe Polo activities over the summer, but not just yet. https://www.facebook.com/canoepoloireland/posts/3514877158529295

Phase 1 in the Government guidelines allows some limited personal paddling activity to recommence. Please see attached guidance from Canoeing Ireland on getting back in the water for general paddling.

From 18th May this allows
– Groups of up to 4
– 2m social distancing on and off the water
– Observe hygiene rules
– No use of shared/club equipment or a shared ball
– Paddling only (no Polo drills, games or team sport)
– Flat Water paddling only, near bank/shoreline
– Must be able to self rescue
– Do not travel beyond 5km from your home
– Do not use changing rooms
– Please read the full document for further information that may be relevant to you

https://canoe.ie/2020/05/13/return-to-paddling-guidelines/

Covid-19 update – extended cancellations for April

New measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus announced by the government today mean we will be canceling events up to the end of April as well as putting a hold on squad training events.

These new guidelines are in response to the increased threat this virus is posing to our country, we’re all in this together and we can all play our part. Continue to strictly follow hygiene guidelines around handwashing, coughing, and cleaning surfaces, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and whenever possible remain in your homes.

Stay safe and keep an eye on the HSE website for the latest health information and Canoeing Ireland for updates relating to our sport

Covid-19 – domestic competitions canceled / postponed until end of March

Following recommendations outlined by Canoeing Ireland and the government we are suspending all domestic competitions until the end of March. All national squad training events and competitions will also be postponed. We ask that members and clubs follow the guidelines laid out by the HSE and Canoeing Ireland.

Junior Training Camp – Lithuania June 22nd-29th, 2020

We are bringing a group of Junior players aged 15 upwards to an intensive training camp in Lithuania next June.
If you’re child would like to participate, please read these details and email develop@canoepolo.ie

THE CAMP
This one week camp is for ambitious young players aged 15+ who want to improve their skills over an intensive weeks training in Daugai, Lithuania.
The camp will be attended by junior players from Lithuania, Poland and Ireland.
The coaching will be led by Reno (Rimvydas Insoda) and his Lithuanian and Polish counterparts.
Junior Development volunteers will act as trip leaders.
The camp will run for 5 days followed by a 1 day competition.

WHO IS IT FOR ? Participants must …
– turn 15 or older in 2020 (be born in 2005 or before). Younger players who have played at Division 2 level will be considered.
– be keen to improve your Canoe Polo skills
– be ready to work hard for the week and have a positive attitude to long days of training 😊
– be able to follow direction from coaches and leaders.
– commit to participation in 3 Junior Development days prior to attending
– be Canoeing Ireland members
Places are limited. We will do our best to accommodate everyone meeting the criteria above but will give priority to those who best meet the criteria.

VENUE/LOCATION
Daugai is a small town (population 1500), 22km east of Alytus in the south of Lithuania.
The training will take place on the lake at the local Canoe Polo Club.
Daugai is a safe secluded location. The participants will walk to all activities at the lake, training grounds and canoe polo pitches.
Accomodation will be in a 70 room hostel, with children sharing 3 or 4 to a room.

COST
The total cost to include flights, accomodation, equipment transport, meals is estimated at €600. 50% payable before end of January.
If parents step forward we will support them to organise some fundraising which could reduce this cost.
Children will not need much pocket money as all meals are included.
Polo Kayaks will be provided by the camp organisers, but you will bring your own helmet/Paddle.

APPLY
To register your interest or for questions, email develop@canoepolo.ie before 13th January.

2020 CANOE POLO IRELAND COMPETITION APPLICATION

The National Committee are interested to hear from any clubs or individuals looking at hosting a competition during the 2020 season. We would like to get dates put onto our calendar and help you in organising and promoting your event.

Please email your application to comps@canoepolo.ie with the name of the competition, the dates that you are planning to hold the competition on and the proposed location of the event. If applications could be in by November 30th it would be much appreciated.

The National Committee are also looking for clubs to host the Irish International Open and the Irish Club Championships

Club Champs 11th-12th July 2020 (provisional)

The Club Champs is the qualifying event for the 2020 ECA Canoe Polo Club Championships where Canoeing Ireland Clubs battle it out for the honor of representing Ireland on the European Stage.

The host will organise and run the competition to the standards set by the national committee and complying with the ECA’s requirements. All profits go to the organisers but they must cover the entry fees of qualified teams that travel to the European Club Championships.

Irish International Open 8th-9th August(provisional)

The Irish Open is our biggest international competition of the canoe polo calendar which the National Committee organise and run with the help of the host club. The Committee are looking for a quality venue to host the Irish Open and would require a lend of facilities. This is the committees best way of generating funding to help develop and run the sport in Ireland.

If applying to host the Club Champs or the Irish open please provide location details, facilities and a short reason why your venue should be selected. Please send applications to comps@canoepolo.ie by the 30th November.

Level 5 Restrictions

AGM 2020