Strategic Plan 2017 – 2019

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3. Capacity Development - build capacity, performance and development of participants through clear pathways and development opportunities for players, coaches, referees and officials and clubs and associations through greater engagement and exposure of the sport, particularly in regional areas.

4. Marketing & Promotions - build the awareness and profile of the sport through improved marketing and business development strategies and enhanced use of technology, the internet and social media tools that are relevant and engaging.

5. Competitions & Events - provide competition and participation opportunities for all levels of ability and development for athletes, coaches, referees and officials.

There’s a lot of hard work and some difficult decisions ahead, however we have an opportunity to have a positive and lasting impact on our great game and I look forward to working with you in bringing this plan to life over the next three years.

Robert DonaghueChief Executive Officer

9th November 2016

It is an exciting time for Water Polo in Queensland as we embark on a new era – an era that will see us take our game to more people and more communities than ever before and build the foundations for a strong and sustainable future.

For us to fulfil our ambitions it requires us to develop a plan that will guide our efforts and define a common ambition that can focus all stakeholders on the important role they will play in us realising our true potential as a sport.

Water Polo Queensland has embarked on a review of its strategy and the important role it plays in supporting the game in Queensland and has developed a comprehensive framework that will drive our decisions and focus our efforts over the next three years.

Our vision is to become the home of Water Polo in Australia and to create an environment where our clubs and associations are thriving, our volunteers are valued and fulfilled, participation is at an all-time high, and our athletes are being nurtured, striving for excellence and maximising their potential.

To realise this vision we have identified five strategic pillars:

1. Organisational Governance - provide leadership and direction as the recognised peak body for water polo in Queensland and adopt best practice governance principles and practices across all levels of the sport.

2. Participation Growth - increase the number and diversity of people participating in social and competitive water polo, particularly in regional areas

Foreword

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Background

Water Polo Queensland is the governing body for the sport in Queensland.

The association has 29 affiliated clubs and associations and represents the interests of more than 15,000 players, coaches, officials and volunteers across the state.

The 2017-2019 Strategic Plan is the culmination of the efforts of all stakeholders. A review led to the identification of strategic priorities and a comprehensive plan to ensure a strong and sustainable future for the sport.

Fundamental to the plan is the ambition to take the game to more people and more communities, and providing an opportunity to participate no matter your background or ability.

The Strategic Plan is supported by an operational plan and an organisational structure developed to ensure the delivery of the key outcomes.

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MissionWater Polo Queensland strives to govern the sport for the prosperity of all stakeholders and promote safe and enjoyable participation opportunities that ensures the long term growth and sustainability of the sport in Queensland.

VisionBecome the home of Water Polo in Australia by taking the game to more people and more communities across Queensland. Queensland Water Polo Incorporated will be recognised as a leading State Sporting Organisation by creating an environment where:

• our associations and clubs are thriving

• our volunteers are valued and fulfilled

• participation is at an all-time high and

• our athletes are being nurtured, striving for excellence and maximising their potential.

Values• Leadership

• Fair Play

• Inclusion & Accessibility

• Integrity

• Innovation

• Excellence

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Objective: 1.1 Review the WPQ governance structure, constitution and

processes Delivery:

• Identify governance review priorities to implement over the next 3 year period

• Undertake a gap analysis & review of existing WPQ policies & procedures

• Establish a standard format and manual for all WPQ policies & procedures

• Review at least 5 policies annually & make associated updates by December each year

• All members of the WPQ Board & Sub-Committees to attend Governance training and induction re basic roles and responsibilities on an annual basis

• Develop and implement a risk management plan and policy

• Develop & implement updated position descriptions for the Board, Staff & Key Volunteers by December 2017, review annually with associated updates made & adopted at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Strategic Priority #1 – Organisational Governance

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• Develop a WPQ governance policy• Develop and implement Sub-Committees & Terms of

Reference for the following Sub-Committees and review annually with updates made & adopted at the AGM:- Finance, Audit, Risk & Management Compliance

(FARM) Committee- Nominations Committee- Remuneration Committee

Objective: 1.2 Continue to improve the financial viability and

sustainability of WPQDelivery:

• Retain at least the same funding levels from State Government as previous cycle

• Develop & implement a financial policy & associated procedures by Dec 2018

• Diversify & increase revenue streams for the sport eg. sponsorship, fundraising

Objective: 1.3 Continue to improve member servicing and build

relationships with key stakeholdersDelivery:

• Review & implement a new workforce structure for WPQ • Develop & implement a rotational visitation program to

regional areas annually • Conduct one WPQ Member Forum by 2019 outside of

South East Qweensland• Continue to attend QSport and NPSR meetings and

workshops • Appoint a Member Protection Investigation Officer

(MPIO) to oversee and investigate membership issues & adherence to WPQ policies and procedures

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Objective:

2.1 Increase overall water polo participation across Queensland

Delivery:

• Commence & co-ordinate delivery of the Sporting Schools program in 2017 in conjunction with Water Polo Australia (WPA) and the Australian Sports Commission

• Continue to deliver Come & Try Days annually across Queensland

• Deliver introduction to Flippa Ball programs annually across Queensland

• Conduct school holiday programs annually across Queensland

• Continue to deliver school awareness programs annually across Queensland

• Continue to support Associations and Clubs to provide access to and deliver water polo competitions across Queensland on an annual basis

• Develop a format for establishing & delivering school competitions in regional areas by 2018 and review annually

• Develop & implement strategies to recruit and retain participants from under-represented groups

• Employ a Development Officer located in Townsville servicing Northern and Central Queensland and in Brisbane servicing South East Queensland

• The Development Officers are responsible for conducting school development programs, establishing new competitions & programs, delivering coach & referee courses & player development programs and piloting new social formats of the game.

Objective:

2.2 Create and implement a social, modified form of water polo “Inner Tube Polo”

Delivery:

• Pilot the delivery of a social, modified form of water polo “Inner Tube Polo”

• Utilise the “Inner Tube Polo” framework trialled by Water Polo Victoria

• Identify possible target audiences for “Inner Tube Polo” in Queensland eg. elderly, primary school aged children, social participants

Strategic Priority #2 – Participation Growth

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Objective:

2.3 Increase in the number of facilities where water polo programs/competitions are delivered

Delivery:

• Conduct a State-wide water polo audit – existing clubs & competitions, suitable facilities, schools/universities that play water polo, possible opportunities

• Identify gaps and areas for potential satellite/associate clubs

• Assist existing Associations and Clubs to establish at least one new satellite Club in regional Queensland by end of 2019

• Develop a format for establishing & delivering school competitions in regional areas

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Objective:

3.1 Increase the quantity and quality of coaches, referees, and officials

Delivery:

• Develop a schedule for coach, referee and official training courses annually

• Deliver Coach Accreditation courses annually across Queensland

• Deliver Referee Accreditation courses annually across Queensland

• Deliver Table Official Accreditation courses annually across Queensland

• Conduct joint coaching workshops & technical forums annually

Objective:

3.2 Establish a State-wide Mentoring Program for coaches and referees

Delivery:

• Establish a formal mentoring program for coaches and referees across Qld by 2019

• Identify talented and appropriately qualified coaches and referees in each Association to act as Mentors for the WPQ Mentor Program

• Identify potential coaches and referees to participate in WPQ mentor programs on an annual basis

Objective:

3.3 Improve Association and Club capacity and member servicing

Delivery:

• Continue to provide Association & Club support on a regular basis, e.g. Grant assistance, templates & resources, Development Officer program

• Ensure Association and Club compliance and performance through MOU/Service Agreements

• Continue to provide ongoing capacity building opportunities for Associations & Clubs through volunteer training and support

Strategic Priority #3 – Capacity Development

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Objective:

4.1 Improve marketing & business development opportunities

Delivery:

• Review the WPQ Marketing Plan which focuses on 3 key marketing elements of:

- Media & communications

- Participation

- Sponsorship & commercial

• Review the market research and WPQ Commercial Audit and utilise and adopt where appropriate

Objective:

4.2 Develop improved communication methods with key stakeholders

Delivery:

• Develop a stakeholder communications plan to improve communication with key stakeholders on an ongoing basis

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Strategic Priority #4 - Marketing & Promotions

• Expose water polo to all forms of the media – including electronic & social media on an ongoing basis

• Improve communication between WPQ, Clubs and members through:

• Monthly newsletters (e-newsletter & website link)

• Regularly review & update website functionality and features

• Regular emails, Facebook, summary minutes and meetings

• Survey stakeholders annually to measure the level of satisfaction/engagement

Objective:

4.3 Increase the use of technology to build the awareness and media profile of water polo

Delivery:

• Launch new WPQ website and review functionality on a regular basis

• Establish www.playwaterpolo.com.au as a portal for connecting people to Water Polo participation opportunities

• Ongoing social media development of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat

• Development of a electronic mail database

Objective:

4.4 Increase sponsorship opportunities for WPQ

Delivery:

• Analyse database to identify potential sponsors from within the membership

• Develop a list of potential sponsors that have aligned objectives with WPQ

• Develop a sponsorship template, plan and proposal to target potential sponsors

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Objective:

5.1 Increased number of WPQ events hosted in regional areas

Delivery:

• Develop a State Competitions & Events Plan that ensures continuous improvement, maximises commercial opportunities & aligns with the WPA calendar

• Strategically locate championships/events in regional centres to maximise engagement, buy-in and beneficial returns to the sport

• Promote and deliver the 2017 FINA World League Round for Men on the Gold Coast

• Investigate funding opportunities to deliver the National Country Championships in 2018 in Rockhampton

• Promote and deliver the State Country Championships in Mackay in 2017 and Townsville in 2019

Objective:

5.2 Review the number of State level competitions

Delivery:

• Investigate the feasibility of introducing an Opens and Masters category at State Championships

Strategic Priority #5 – Competitions & Events

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Proudly supported by the Queensland Government

Suite 1.10 Sports House150 Caxton Street Milton QLD 4064

T: +61 7 3367 1661 | F: 61 7 3369 8644E: admin@waterpoloqld.com.au