Coach Page
Above - Dave Clifford with the 2007 Under 18 Water Polo Team Dave Clifford, our high-achieving Water Polo Coach tells his story...I have been involved with water polo since I was about 10 years old. At the time I was a competitive swimmer at City of Coventry Swimming Club. I started to find the hours of swimming training rather dull and wanted something a little more exciting. Luckily my club had a water polo section. In those days there were no qualified coaches or structured training. Most sessions consisted of 10 minutes throwing and catching the ball and the remaining time playing games. The only way to learn was to watch the older players. Water polo has opened many doors for me. When I joined the army, at 16 years old, I found myself a long way from home in Aldershot. A visit to the garrison baths had me playing water polo for Aldershot Services Team and within a month the Army senior squad. While my fellow boy soldiers were bored at weekends I was off all over the country playing water polo or at training camps. Wherever I have been in this country or abroad, I have been able to find a team and a new group of friends. Friends I had in Coventry as a 12 year old are still in contact. I am constantly surprised at how many of my friend’s children I have coached either at regional or national training. Water polo has been good to me so now I want to give something back by introducing as many youngsters to the game as possible. Here at Sevenoaks I was given the chance to start a Junior section to an established senior team. I wanted to be able to pass on all that I had learnt to as many players and as quickly as possible. In 1999 I started my coaching career by attending an ASA level 1 water polo course. Within the year I went on to complete the ASA level 2 course. Since setting up the junior training at Sevenoaks the Club has gained recognition as the best junior section in Kent. So far we have had As well as coaching at Sevenoaks Swimming Club I am Kent County Junior Coach, South Region Training Centre Coach and Great Britain Women’s Academy Squad Coach. At the age of 47 I am still playing and enjoying competitive water polo
Senior Team in Holland 2008
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