Latest News

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.

AGM 2019

We would like to formally invite all members to the canoe polo AGM being held on 12th October 2019 at 10:00am in the Canoeing Ireland Development Center, Strawberry Beds, Dublin.

The following positions will be available:

Chairperson
Secretary
Development / Child Protection Officer
Ordinary member 1

Motions and proposals to be sent to chair@canoepolo.ie no later than 28th September 2019

Coaching Courses for Club Volunteers

Learn to Coach Canoe Polo – Courses for Club Volunteers

Are you a player, parent or volunteer looking to help make Canoe Polo a success in your Club ?

This year we are providing training courses for Canoe Polo Coaches aged 16+. These courses are open to players and non-players and are a great way to help grow Canoe Polo in your club. The Coaching courses will be delivered by Michelle Power and are packed with content specifically designed for Canoe Polo Coaching from beginner level upwards.

Priority on these courses will be given to those that register now using the link below. Please don’t think ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that’ – give it a go, with the level 1 course, at the very least you can be more helpful to more experienced coaches.

• Canoe Polo Coach (Level 1)– entry level course – will show you how to introduce beginners to Canoe Polo

• Canoe Polo Coach (Level 2)- a more advanced course for coaches looking to build competitive teams.

• First Aid – available separately or as part of the Coaching Course – a one day course will include everything you need for water and bank-based first aid in a typical canoe polo environment.

• ‘Canoe Polo Basics’ At Overload, we will run a follow-on from last years ‘bluffers guide to polo’, for parents and non-coaching volunteers

• We will also be running Refereeing courses for new referees and existing referees looking to learn about the additional 2019 rules

Helping out is fun, rewarding and not that hard to do. Please take 1 minute NOW!, to register interest in some of the above courses and we will contact you with dates for courses running between May and August. Register here  https://forms.gle/b6qL3NdriLH6WVCr7

Any questions … email – develop@canoepolo.ie

Junior Development 2019

We are getting ready to startup the Junior Development Programme for 2019. Here are some important dates for your diary…

Junior Development Days

We will be organising a number of development days for players age 9-18 of all skill levels, including beginners from any club. If your club has younger players just starting out they would be very welcome to get involved.

The dates are as follows

* Saturday March 9th, 2019 – Mullingar

* Sunday April 7th, 2019 – Mullingar

* Sunday May 12th, 2019 – Kilcock

* Saturday June 1st, 2019 – Mullingar

* Sunday July 21st, 2019 – Kilcock

* August 17th & 18th – Overload! Mullingar

This year we want to put a particular emphasis on getting new players into our sport and are encouraging younger players from aged 9 upwards to come along and avail of the development days.

Overload!

Overload! our two-day canoe polo camp returns to Mullingar again on 17-18 August in Mullingar. The format will be similar to last year with a couple of twists. More details and booking form to follow.

Kilcock Junior Competition

Kilcock is running a one-day Junior competition on 22nd June.

Again, if your club isn’t fielding a team but you would like to play, let us know and we will match you up with a club looking for a player.

Belfast Junior International

The Belfast Junior International will take place from 31st July until Sunday 4th August, promising to be a another world class event, with clubs expected from over 20 countries at the Lets Go Hydro centre.

This year, NCPC/Junior Development Programme is not running a Squad selection process – all teams will be Club teams, so everyone of an appropriate age has a chance to participate if they wish – your club will be responsible for selecting and entering teams.

However, if you would like to play on an under 15 or under 18 team and your club is not participating, let us know at the first Development Day (March 9th) and we will find you a team.

Referees Forum – 2nd March

We would like to invite all current and future referees to the Canoeing Ireland Training Center in Strawberry beds at 10am on 2nd March 2019. There will be a presentation and discussion on the rule changes the ICF have introduce this year. This is a great opportunity to hear views and discuss these changes with your fellow referees and how they will impact polo in Ireland.

If you are not currently a referee you will have the opportunity to take the written exam from 11:30am

Map – https://goo.gl/maps/K2FsqpFYSRq

Irish International Open 2019 – Belfast 7th-8th of September

Canoe Polo Ireland are delighted to announce that the 2019 Irish International Open will be held in the Knockbracken Reservoir in Belfast on the 7th and 8th of September. This will be the 1st Senior International to be held in the Knockbraken Reservoir the home of the Junior International Championships.

Belfast Kayak Academy have spent the last number of years developing their venue that now has 4 full sized regulation pitches, glamping and camping facilities a cafe and restaurant all on site. They have also recently opened their new spectators stand the ‘Argento Arena’ where fans and spectators can site and enjoy the best of Irish Canoe Polo.

All International and National clubs and teams are welcome to enter into the four categories available: Division 1, 2, 3 and U15’s.

Enter your teams here. Irish Open 2019 7/8th of September