Saanich
Water Polo School is proud of its dynamic coaching staff, whose main focus
is the training of high performance water polo players according to the
"Long Term Athlete Development" model, using the principles of the "Complex
Training Method".
Regional/Provincial and National Level
Referee Course Conductor
Regional/Provincial and National Level
Referee Performance Evaluator
NCCP Level I
and II Technical Course Conductor for Coaching
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's
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Commerce Degree
NCCP Level III Water Polo Coach
Ex Member of Hungarian Women's
National Water Polo Team
Fluent in English, French, Hungarian
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.
*Tamás Kásás was
named "The World`s Most Valuable Male Water Polo Player of the year 1999".
Son
Ferenc Vindisch Jr was trained by Ferenc in Canadian Waters, in Calgary,
Regina, then in turn, Victoria. At age 18, as a Juvenile player, Ferenc Jr
was a member of the Canadian Juvenile, Junior and Senior National Teams. He
played for John Csikos at the Pan Am championships in 1997, when Canada
secured its first ever medal - a bronze - at the Pan Am's. In Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, in 1997 Canada qualified at a World Championship
Qualification Tournament. Ferenc Jr, at age 18 was a member of the Canadian
Men's Senior Team. Ferenc Jr traveled to the Navy Camp in 1996 with the
Senior National Team. US Camp staff noted his exceptional technical skills,
speed and endurance. Inquiring about his training background, Head Coach
Mike Schofield contacted Ferenc Jr's coach: Ferenc Vindisch Sr in Victoria.
A link was established, Ferenc were invited to coach for the Prestigious US
Navy Camp, and a tradition to return every year was established. (Young
Ferenc Junior is currently playing for an A Division Team in Hungary)
Canadian and US
Players in Hungary:
Besides Ferenc Jr, some Canadian and most
recently an American talent was supported by Ferenc in a "Hungarian Water
Polo Immersion" program. William Tunison of Regina and Louie Zavodni. of
Hamilton trained countless hours under Ferenc`s directions. Also they spent
a couple of seasons playing in Hungary. This experience landed them a spot
on the Canadian Junior National Team and they represented Canada at the
Junior World Championship in Kuwait in 1999. Jesse Smith member US Junior
National Team returned from Hungary in April 2000 after a month in the
Hungarian "A" Division. Jesse was one of our guest coach at the Christmas
Camp`99 here in Victoria. Jesse is going for a spot on the US Senior
National Team for the 2004 Olympics. Randy Burgess of San Diego is taking a
team of youngsters (age 15/16) to Budapest in August 2000. Their trip is
being managed by Ferenc.
International Contacts:
Ferenc's contemporaries are spread out over the globe -
literally. From Pista Görgényi
in Australia, to Gyuri Kenez in Kuwait, Lajos Lőrincz in Portugal, Gyula
Pék in France, Laci Kácsor in Danmark to countless coaches (former team
mates) who are working in the Italian pro-league, the possibilites for
travel and exchange, and for drawing world class competition to Victoria,
are endless.
