HOW TO START A CLUB

Starting a sport club in your community may seem like a daunting task. The process is a complex one and needs to be carefully planned if the club is to succeed in the long term. There is a wealth of information available on the internet, however, wading through the multitude of web sites to find useful information can be frustrating and time consuming. Sport Manitoba has a number of great resources available:

Sport MB: How To Start A Club

RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

The following are the benefits for Members Clubs who are in good standing:

Ability to attend tournaments sanctioned by Water Polo Canada (“WPC”) and its members

Ability to participate in tournaments hosted by the MWPA

Access to Sport Manitoba grants

Administrative, technical and educational resources, including:
- Sport development framework and resources
- Training and certification programs for coaches and officials
- Safe sport resources, including an independent third-party mechanism for maltreatment investigations

Access to WPC and MWPA funding

Voting privileges at the MWPA Annual Meeting

Insurance for Sanctioned Activities through Water Polo Canada
- A registrant will have insurance coverage when participating in sanctioned activities. Registration must be completed in the online WPC National Registration Database and Event Management System, RAMP. All individuals associated with the activity must be registered, including all players, coaches, officials, etc.
  - Sanctioned activities include practices, dryland training, and scrimmages at the Club level

Insurance for Sanctioned Events through Water Polo Canada
- The Sanctioned Event must be recorded in RAMP and approved by the appropriate provincial and/or national organization
- All individuals associated with the event must be registered, including all players, coaches, chaperones, team managers, minor officials, referees, etc.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance through Water Polo Canada, however they must be registered as Volunteers in RAMP.

Club Membership Requirements

Please consult the Club Membership Policy

Process for New Clubs

make an application for membership: New Club Application Form
meet the definition for a Club as defined in the MWPA By-Laws
meet the minimum requirements described within the Club Membership Policy and the MWPA Bylaws
pay the fees as prescribed by the MWPA

Requirements for all Clubs

appoint two (2) individuals as primary contacts for receiving and sending communication with MWPA annually.
Maintain and share updated club contact information for directors with MWPA.
Provide list of coaches, indicating last date of checks under Screening Policy.
Agree to adhere to all WPC and MWPA governing documents, policies and procedures
- Clubs are deemed to have adopted all applicable MWPA policies. Clubs may enact more restrictive policies, but they may not replace any MWPA policies with their own.

Club Renewal Process

Provide minutes of Annual Meetings and Special Meetings.
A copy of a financial statement or budget.

Member Clubs

Other Member Affiliations

Clubs: Sponsors