Bucknell University Athletics
USA Water Polo to Deliver P.A.C.E. Clinic at Bucknell this Weekend
10/1/2003 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Oct. 1, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - One of water polo's most highly toured water polo clinics will be taking place in Lewisburg, Pa., this weekend. P.A.C.E. (Programs for Athletes and Coaches Education), the increasingly popular camps and clinics put on by the newly-crowned World Champion U.S. women's water polo team and staff, will be held this weekend, October 4-5, at the Arthur D. Kinney Jr. Natatorium.
Just a few months after capturing gold at both the 2003 World Championships and Pan American Games, the top-ranked U.S. women are back at work with P.A.C.E. Team USA had a remarkable summer, becoming only the second non-European team to win gold at World Championships in Barcelona in July, then following that up by qualifying early for the Olympics with a gold medal at the Pan American Games in August.
Now, P.A.C.E. gives coaches and athletes unprecedented hands-on training in water polo from the world's best.
"The goal of the program is to have each athlete and coach get a taste of the National Team experience," said U.S. women's head coach Guy Baker. "One plus has always been that they could get close, personal instruction from past and future Olympians, but now we're World Champs, too."
The emphasis of the P.A.C.E. clinic series is USA team defense and counterattack transition tactics. In addition, coaches can expect to learn individual defensive fundamentals, specific position training techniques (center, defender, driver and goalkeeper), planning and preparation methods, game management philosophies and important drills to succeed. Each coach will get to participate in interactive water polo sessions directed by the National Team staff and players incorporating the clinic athletes. Also, the clinic will provide a manual and video to cement the program.
Players will get to work on specific position training with the National Team staff and players. In addition, vertical shooting, team defense, counterattack transition and scrimmage opportunities will be covered during each of the two-day clinics. Take-home position handouts and lecture notes will help the athletes remember the information from the clinic.
The P.A.C.E. clinic being held at Bucknell will feature the following athletes and coaches:
Guy Baker - Head Coach: Women's National programs, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Team, 2003 World Championship Gold Medalist Team, and 2004 Olympic Team.
Nicolle Payne - Goalkeeper: 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2003 World Championship Gold Medalist.
Heather Moody - Center: 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2003 World Championship Gold Medalist.
Robin Beaurgard - Defender: 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2003 World Championship Gold
Brenda Villa - Attacker: 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2003 World Championship Gold Medalist.
The P.A.C.E. program is open to all coaches, all male and female athletes between the ages of 10-18 with at least one season of water polo experience, and all female college water polo players. Pre-registration is available through an online form at www.usawaterpolo.com, but interested participants will also be able to register for the clinic at the door on Saturday, October 4.
For more information on P.A.C.E. and USA Water Polo, visit www.usawaterpolo.com.
