The first table officials' course hosted by the BWPL in conjunction with the ASA takes place during the opening weekend of the new season at Ponds Forge, Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday - and it has received an encouraging response from clubs.

​It's still not too late if you wish to take part - contact League secretary Chris Ducker, [email protected], for information. In addition to completing a brief written test, candidates will benefit from practical experience on the poolside along with mentoring from some of the sport's most senior officials.

​If you can't be in Sheffield, make a note of 29 October - that's when the next BWPL-hosted course takes place at Gloucester, during a weekend of men's Divisions 1 and 2 matches. Applications to BWPL officials' co-ordinator Mike Jukes, [email protected].     

England's most promising young players can look forward to a more positive future following news that the ASA has agreed a budget to support the England Water Polo Management Group's Strategic and Operational Plan for water polo. It means a green light for initiatives that include:

​Revival of a senior England programme from next month linked to the existing under-17 and under-19 age group programmes.

​England teams to compete in international competitions at both junior and senior level during 2016-17.

​England junior players combining with those from Scotland and Wales to compete as GB in LEN events. 

​Management Group chairman Ian Elliot said the new programme would enable elite athletes "to transition seamlessly along the performance pathway from junior to senior representative polo."

​He added: "Although there will be no senior GB programme for the immediate future, we believe that the future of GB polo will be secured by demonstrating that England and the other home nations can realise their competitive potential through development of a structured and well organised performance pathway."