Power
Speed
Endurance

Saanich Water Polo School
Celebrating 10 years of Excellence
Hosting the World's Best Water Polo
at Saanich Commonwealth Pool

Swim
Play
Travel



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Mission Statement:
Saanich Water Polo School’s quest is the preparation of National/International caliber athletes in the sport of water polo according to the highest standards in the industry.  Coaches work according to the long term athlete development model engineered by Sport Branch Services.
Saanich Water Polo School is a registered society, working within the framework of the societies act to bring long term stability and quality to its programming:  SWPS is built upon the athlete centered, coach directed, volunteer assisted model.

History and Home Facility
Saanich Water Polo School can be found in the District of Saanich in the city of Greater Victoria, on beautiful Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada).  Saanich Water Polo School is proud to represent the sport of water polo in one of the Nation’s High Performance Facilities, Saanich Commonwealth Place Pool. Home to such legendary athletes as Olympic Triathlon Champion Simon Whitfield, and swimmer Rick Say, Saanich Commonwealth Place celebrates its 13th birthday in 2006, as a legacy built for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.  Commonwealth Place features a themed wave-pool, tots’ pool , waterslide, hot tub, sauna, & steam room , teach pool, 50 meter competitive pool, dive tank,  a state of the art, freshly completed fitness facility, and the famous Wavesideside café. For a virtual tour of the facility please visit: www.saanich.ca/resident/recreation/virtual/scpvirtual.html
Saanich Water Polo School was born in 1997, as the brain child of a group of highly qualified coaches and parents with the ambition to raise future water polo champions. Realizing the potential offered by the beautiful and well equipped home facility, Saanich Water Polo School worked on its tournament hosting capabilities until its flawless tournament hosting reputation has transcended the continent:  in the last nine years since its birth, SWPS has hosted eight Valentines International Tournaments (with a record 52 teams in 2004), two NORAM events, the Australian Women Olimpic team,  a training camp with world famous coach Tamas Farago, and four Hungarian Style Bootcamps – as well as a number of annual local/provincial events.  Bringing the world of water polo to Victoria has always been the quest of SWPS, the club that is ready to provide major tournaments with the following amenities: split scoreboard, electronic scoring system (US Olympian Dan Klatt referred to the SWPS electronic score-sheets system as equal to the one used in the World Championships), eight nets, three simultaneous fields of play, spectator bleachers, large and well trained volunteer base of minor officials, hospitality room for referees and coaches, sound system, theme décor.  SWPS major goal in tournament hosting is to bring a televised water polo event home to Victoria before 2010.

Testimonial:
“After 9 years in the SWPS water polo program my daughter comes away with the type of life skills that will serve her well in many different situations beyond just sports-related.  They include the discipline and focus needed to excel in a high performance environment; access to expert coaching; development of life-long friendships and experiencing what it means to be part of a team and the importance of every person on it.”

-parent Cindy B.

International Connections & Sister Clubs
Through technical director and head coach, Ferenc Vindisch, Saanich Water Polo School has access to impressive international connections.  Just a few of the illustrious water polo personalities who have visited the school: Tamas Farago, Dan Klatt, Rezso Gallov….
Ferenc coaches abroad extensively, and has a network of Hungarian and international  connections.  SWPS has several sister clubs in Hungary: BVSC, Vasas, Eger and of course the world famous school of many Olympic and World Champions, KSI.  All these clubs have been to Victoria for the Valentines International, and our athletes have traveled to Hungary. The year 2006 will see two Canadian delegations head to Hungary;  for the June Water Polo Symposium, coaches, managers and volunteers will be invited to the Senior Men`s World Cup hosted by Hungary and a grand tour of the domestic water polo scene.  In September, a training trip for boys in the Juvenile, Cadet and Bantam age groups is planned.

Introducing the SWPS Staff:

Ferenc Vindisch

Founder and Honorary Technical Director

Congratulations to Ferenc, who has just accepted a prestigious position as a member of the British Water Polo Association, hosts of the 2012 Olympics! Ferenc is presently filling in as coach of the British National Men's team, his official title however is Assistant Coach to the Women's National Team, in charge of building a strong program/team for the 2012 Games in London. Good luck Ferenc; Victoria welcomes your teams at any time with open arms in SWPS' home - in Manchester's sister facility and Canadian equivalent - Commonwealth Place in Victoria!

     Ferenc Vindisch began his Water Polo career in Budapest at KSI (Central Sport School). He played in Hungary's fiercely competitive "A" Division for over a decade and his active Water Polo career included spots on the Juvenile, Junior, and Senior Hungarian National Teams. After finishing his active career as an athlete he returned to coach for KSI.

     Coaching at KSI meant compulsory coaching education at Hungary's renowned University of Physical Education.  He graduated with a Level IV Coaching Degree, and attained the highest possible Domestic Water Polo Referee designation, refereeing extensively in the A Division.  He became an International Referee with both LEN and FINA. 

     In 1991, Ferenc moved to Calgary in an exchange coaching position with John Csikos of the Calgary Renegades.  In the following year, Ferenc accepted a position as Technical Director of Water Polo Saskatchewan. 

     In 1995, he moved to Victoria accepting the Technical Director & Developmental Coach position that included refereeing and coaching clinics as well as active coaching. 

    As of October 1st, 2007, Ferenc has accepted a position with the British Water Polo Association and will be working on preparing a program for the Women's Water Polo Team.

 

Gabriella Vindisch

General Manager & Sports Marketing Director, Walter Paolo Inc.

    

Switching to water polo after many years in competitive swimming, Gabriella's polo career took off in earnest when she joined the "A" Division Hungarian team of Vasas Sports Club in 1980. Winning three consecutive National Championship titles with Vasas, she soon became a stable member of the Hungarian National Women's Team in the mid-80's. 

 

     Coaching, playing and studying simultaneously, she graduated from the University of Economics in Budapest with a degree in sports marketing/international business. After completing her studies, she returned to Canada - the country where she had spent most of her teenage years. 

 

     In Toronto, she continued to play water polo for three more years as a member of the city's Golden Jets Women's Water Polo Team.  Gabriella and husband Ferenc moved to Victoria in 1995.  Combining her coaching and recruiting talents with her knowledge of marketing, Saanich Water Polo School was born. 

 

    Gabriella continues to recruit, specialize in coaching the novice program, and acts as General Manager - Marketing Director for the now very busy "water polo factory" of Victoria, BC: Saanich Water Polo School.

 

Testimonial:
“Putting our daughter into Saanich Water Polo School is probably one of the best things we have done for her.  Here are a few of the benefits that she has reaped.  Her fitness level is 100%.  She has learned to swim under adverse conditions, (such as someone trying to sink you), and still control focus.  Winning and loosing is not what it is all about for her, and the friendships she has built coupled with the travel have helped her become a well rounded individual.”

- parent Rob P.

Outstanding Graduates of the SWPS Program:

In its brief 9 year history, Saanich Water Polo School has put 7 players on various age group national teams. SWPS currently has two carded athletes:  Lars Yunker(18), and Lara Kesteloo(18).
Read the Story of the Fabulous Five

 

 



July, 2006



Valentines-2007


Valentines-2008

waterpoloschool@shaw.ca


Walter Paolo invites athletes and coaches to apply for the 7th Annual Hungarian Style Boot Camp

JULY 4-8, 2008
 
Commonwealth Place, Victoria, Canada

Saanich Water Polo School in beautiful Victoria hosts the Hungarian style boot camp for the sixth time.
Camp director is Ferenc Vindisch... "Walter Paolo" himself.

Innovative drills, camp tournament, college coaches, Goulash BBQ social, superb meals and incredible training characterize this truly unique camp. Since the training quality is the #1 priority, spaces are strictly limited.
More Details - Online Application



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Walter Paolo Inc.
Proud Tournament Sponsors

Mikasa and Walter Paolo will be sponsoring one of its largest events, the Annual Valentine's International at beautiful Commonwealth Place in Victoria, BC, Canada. With teams from the Northwestern US, California and Western Canada, this tournament will be one of the most exciting tournaments that we have ever organized.


 

Testimonial:
“Our oldest daughter has recently started playing water polo with SWPS and has finally found a sport that really excites her.  I believe she enjoys the companionship of her team mates as much as playing water polo!  As parents, we couldn’t be happier to see our daughter involved in such a positive atmosphere.

Our middle daughter has been swimming with Gee Gees for two years and this summer participated in the Power Swim portion of the SWPS camp.  What an amazing difference in her level of ability, stamina, and most of all confidence.  She looks forward to joining SWPS when she is old enough.

Our five year old son is going to play the sport when he is “a big enough guy”.  Until then he enjoys being around the pool and getting to know the athletes who are always more than kind to him.

We feel very fortunate to be able to surround our children with adults who we respect.”

- parent Colette B.

 

Copyright © 2004 Walter Paolo Inc. All Rights Reserved