Kyle Kopp Named USA Water Polo Women’s Youth National Team Head Coach

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, June 3. KYLE Kopp, a two-time Olympian and former Assistant Coach for the Women's Senior National Team has been named Head Coach of the Women's Youth National Team. Kopp, who assisted the Women's Senior National Team to consecutive Olympic Medals in 2004 and 2008 is also the Head Coach of Women's Water Polo and Swimming at Golden West College. He takes over the Youth National Team from longtime coach Chris Oeding as the squad prepares for the first ever Youth World Championships in 2012.

Kopp will also serve as an ODP Coaches Education Consultant with the primary purpose of creating and implementing a Coaches Education Program in collaboration with ODP and National Team staffs. The Coaches Education Program will include a development system for ODP and Elite Coaches and progressive and systematic standards for USAWP coaches.

"Kyle will play an instrumental role in the development of not only the athletes in the women's program but also the development of ODP and USAWP coaches," said Guy Baker, Director of Olympic Development for USA Water Polo. "Kyle is an excellent teacher, the best I have ever worked with. Kyle was a key and critical contributor to the international success of the 2001-08 Women's Senior and Junior National Teams. It has been a goal to get our best teachers with our youngest National Teams to start them in the right direction. The hiring of Kyle will further connect ODP to the National Teams Pipeline and with the inaugural Youth World Championships in 2012 there is now more focus on the Youth National Team."

Kopp is a 1990 graduate of Long Beach State and was a player for the Men's National Team for over 10 years that saw appearances at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games in Atlanta and Sydney respectively. Following his playing career Kopp transitioned into coaching joining the staff of the Women's Senior National Team where he contributed to two World Championship titles and two Olympic Medals in 2004 and 2008 in Athens and Beijing respectively. In only his second year, Kopp led the Golden West Women's Water Polo Team to the California State Championship in 2009.

"The Women's National Teams have a tradition of success that I was fortunate to be a part of," said Kopp. "I am excited to be back and coaching the Women's Youth National Team which now includes the opportunity to represent the United States in a World Championship. I truly believe that fundamentals are the foundation and cornerstone of building a successful program. It is an honor to coach the youth team as they embark on this journey and take the first step in this development process."

Alison Gregorka and Paul Felton have been named as Assistant Coaches for the Youth National Team. Gregorka was a member of the Women's Senior National Team 2006-09, winning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and two World Championship titles in 2007 and 2009. Gregorka was also the ODP Southern Pacific Zone Girls 1994 and under Assistant Coach. Felton was the Head Coach of the ODP Pacific Zone Girls 1992 and under Team. Felton was named Top Girls Coach for the Northern California Region. Both coaches will also remain ODP Coaches.

"As we are wrapping up the second phase of ODP, preparing for the third phase of ODP and a full summer of National Teams training and competition, we are going to begin the process of creating a Coaches Education Program," said Baker. "Having a standardized and progressive Coaches Education Program is one of the most important components of developing our sport. With Kyle's background, expertise, and vision it now seems possible to move from the idea stage to the creation stage. It is going to be a tremendous amount of work, but everyone that will be involved loves a challenge."

The Women's Youth National Team will begin their preparation for the 2012 Youth World Championships with the National Training and Selection Camp (NTSC) June 28-July 1. Seventy ODP athletes were selected from the ODP Regional Championships. In addition, the NTSC will focus on the development of coaches with the Phase 3 eighth and ninth grade coaches in attendance. The ODP Coaches will be fully interacted in the NTSC which includes technical and tactical training, tactical meetings and physical assessments.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x