TEAMS
Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia are invited to nominate two (2) teams per gender, the composition of which shall be determined by in line with guidelines issued by AWPI, other State Associations may enter more than one team subject to approval of AWPI.
Further, AWPI has extended an invitation to Japan Water Polo to enter a Girls Team (B'91) which will compete in the Preliminary Round and Classification Round but will not be eligible to play off for positions 1 - 4.
Teams will be limited to fifteen (15) players per team.
Please note that the names of players (along with their date of birth) in cap number order are required to be submitted to AWPI by 15 September 2008.

VENUE
Challenge Stadium
Stephenson Ave
Mt Claremont  WA  6010

DATES
The dates for these Championships are 29 September - 5 October 2008 inclusive.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES
Entries are now open and will close with AWPI on or before Monday 18 August 2008.
Your entry must be accompanied by the entry fee and is to be submitted on the competition entry form/tax invoice. Payment to be made to AWPI.
The Entry Fee is $600.00 per team (includes GST) payable to AWPI to accompany each team entry.
Entry fee for teams entering after the closing date of 18 August 2008 is $1200.

FORMS
Note that all forms can be used electronically, which is the preferred method of receiving forms and information.
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2008 16 & Under Entry Form
2008 16 & Under Team Nomination Form
2008 Air Travel Form

PLAYER & TEAM ELIGIBILITY
Please note that all players must be registered with their State Association and comply with the Date of Birth criterion.
Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia are invited to nominate two (2) teams per gender, other State Associations may enter more than one team subject to approval by AWPI, the compositions of which shall be determined by in line with guidelines issued by AWPI.
Japan Water Polo will enter a Girls Team (B'91) to compete in the Preliminary Round and Classification Round but will not be eligible to play off for positions 1 - 4.

REFEREES
The name of the referee accompanying the team must be notified at the time of lodgment of the initial Entry Form. Entry Forms that do not nominate a referee will not be accepted.
There will be centralised accommodation arrangements made for referees, and charged to State Associations at the rate of $80 per night per team. This cost will include ground transport for referees. The nominated referee must be independent of the role of coach and/or manager of a team entered in either gender.

PROGRAM
Games will commence at 8.00 am on the morning of Monday 29 September 2008.
The program and format of the championship will depend upon the number of teams entering.
Every endeavour will be made to maximise the number of games each team will play.
The format will be advised shortly after entries close.

PRE-EVENT MEETINGS
Meetings for the Coaches and Managers, and Referees will be held prior to the start of the event at 7.00pm on Sunday 28 September 2008 at Sports House (next to Challenge Stadium).
Your cooperation is sought in having a representative at these meetings.

TEAM TRAVEL
As a guide, teams should arrive in Perth on Sunday 28 September in time to have a representative at the 7.00 pm Coaches/Managers Meeting (games start 8.00 am on 29 September) and plan to depart on flights around 6.00 pm on the 5 October.
Teams may make their own travel arrangements. AWPI can provide a competitive quote for air travel should teams wish to enquire. Please contact Julia Annells on 03 6216 8999 and Julia will obtain a quote.

PRESENTATIONS
Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be conducted during the Championships and all teams are required to attend in full uniform.

COMPETITION RULES
Rules under which the Championships are to be conducted will be advised following the close of entries, as the Rules will be dependent upon the event format.

CODE OF CONDUCT
The Championships will be conducted under the Constitution and By-Laws of Australian Water Polo Inc.
Your attention is drawn to the Codes of Conduct contained in Section 7 of the By-Laws for Players, Referees, Officials, Spectators and others.

CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION
In accordance with the Australian Water Polo Inc Member Protection Policy which is binding on ALL members of AWPI, the following commitments must be met by Managers, Coaches and Referees who have contact with children under the age of eighteen years.
Managers, Coaches and Referees visiting Western Australia must comply with State Legislative requirements.

DRUG POLICY
Australian Water Polo Incorporated supports the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee, and the Australian Sports Drug Agency in their efforts to eradicate the use of drugs in sport. AWPI has published an anti-doping policy, which will be adhered to for this event.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
Please note that athletes may be subject to drug testing and they must ensure that appropriate forms are completed if they are taking medication.
Forms can be found here http://www.australianwaterpolo.com.au/content/view/215/131
If in doubt please refer to the ASADA web site (a link is provided at the above web site address.)

MEDIA STATEMENTS
States, Clubs and teams shall be permitted to promote the event and or their team within their own state (subject to AWPI approval). However, no competitor, team manager, official or spokesperson for a state or team shall make media statements that could bring the 2008 National Championships Boys and Girls 16 Years and Under, its sponsor, or officials into controversy. Such statements shall be deemed to be a breach of AWPI discipline and may be dealt with accordingly.

THEFT
Any person/s found stealing signage or any equipment owned by Australian Water Polo Inc or Western Australian Water Polo Inc or the Aquatic Centres or other venues may be immediately reported to police and that person/s will be brought before the AWPI Judiciary. Please note that automatic disqualification of the team from the championship will occur if any member is found guilty of theft.

SPONSORSHIP
Teams may pursue their own sponsorship for the Championships, however, in the event of teams having conflict with event sponsors or AWPI sponsors, the latter will have precedence.

INJURY STATISTICS
Australian Water Polo Inc is vitally interested in collecting injury statistics and, hence, forms will be provided at the briefing meeting to allow feedback of this information to AWPI.
Please be aware that these form require no private information on the player or access to their medical records.

QUERIES
If you have any queries, please contact
Peter Hobday
Operations Manager AWPI
PO Box 60
Lindisfarne TAS 7015
03 62168999
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