USA Women’s National Team to Hold P.A.C.E. Coaches and Referees Clinics at U.S. Cup in Chicago

Los Alamitos, Calif., May 20, 2002—The U.S. women’s water polo team has established itself as one of the world’s most tactically efficient teams in recent years under head coach Guy Baker. But with every degree of success comes some amount of sacrifice, and an abundance of hard work. The U.S. women’s team used both to win a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.
Having a head for the game doesn’t hurt either.

From June 5-8, 2002, in Chicago (Ill.), Baker and his staff will be on hand to help coaches and referees develop all those qualities at the first ever P.A.C.E. Coaches and Referees Conference. The conference, which coincides with the women’s U.S. Cup, the team’s first home international tournament of the summer, will help coaches build winning teams through a series of
programs.

The U.S. Cup, scheduled June 6-8, will feature one of the best fields of four put together in years. Australia, the 2000 Olympic gold medallist, Italy, the 2001 World Champions, and Russia, the 2000 Olympic bronze medallist, will join the U.S. poolside in the three-day affair.

The conference will include video game analysis from the competition at the U.S. Cup, international guest speakers, position training, interactive practice sessions, “Q & A” panels with Team USA players and staff, strength and conditioning tips, insight on sports psychology, and game management skills. Coaches will also pour over the importance of drills. And, above all the USA “System of Play” will be covered.

“This clinic will teach coaches the ABCs of USA women’s water polo,” said Baker, the U.S. women’s national team director and head coach.

Conference fees will also get coaches a program manual with an accompanying video, lecture notes, a list of important drills, and an all-session pass to games and practices during the tournament.

“This clinic is important for both beginning and advanced coaches alike,” said Baker.

A referees P.A.C.E. Conference is also scheduled and will offer interaction between officials and coaches in both the panel discussions and game analysis.

Both programs are a preview to USA Water Polo's new Coaching Certification program, due to roll-out January 2003. “Attendance at these programs will
be reflected in the requirements to receive certification once the program is up and running,” said USA Water Polo Director of Education Michelle
Pickering-Baker.

Those interested in either the referees’ or coaches’ program can get additional information and registration forms at http://www.usawaterpolo.com. For more information, contact Michelle Baker at
(562) 856-3707 or via email at mbaker@uswp.org.

(Courtesy of Eric Velazquez & USA Water Polo, posted by Michael Collins)

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