WATER POLO- A Call for Transparency, Representation, Accountability and Meaningful Change
WATER POLO- A Call for Transparency, Representation, Accountability and Meaningful Change
The Issue
WATER POLO DESERVES BETTER
Who Is Steering the Future of Water Polo?
A Collective Call for Transparency, Representation, Accountability and Meaningful Change
OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE
Water polo belongs to the entire water polo community – not to a select few.
We, the undersigned members and stakeholders of the Trinidad and Tobago Water Polo Community, respectfully call for greater transparency, meaningful representation, accountability and collaboration in the governance and development of water polo.
Our athletes, parents, families, coaches, managers, clubs and volunteers make significant personal, professional and financial commitments to support and grow the sport. Those who understand and contribute to water polo deserve a meaningful voice in decisions affecting its future.
WE ARE CALLING FOR:
1. Experienced Water Polo Leadership
The Water Polo Commission should include persons with demonstrated knowledge, experience and expertise in water polo, including current and former athletes, coaches, managers, administrators and representatives from water polo clubs.
2. Qualified Commission Chairperson
The Chairperson of the Water Polo Commission should be an experienced and suitably qualified person with profound knowledge and expertise in water polo.
The Chairperson should have appropriate autonomy to fulfil the Commission’s responsibilities and make decisions within its established mandate, while remaining accountable to The Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (hereinafter referred to as ‘ASATT’) Constitution, policies and applicable regulations.
3. Fair and Good-Faith Governance
We call upon the President of ASATT to act impartially and in good faith in all matters concerning water polo.
Decisions should be made fairly, transparently and in the best interests of the sport, free from bias, preferential treatment, personal agendas or other considerations unrelated to the advancement of water polo.
4. Respect for ASATT's Constitution
We call upon ASATT to uphold and apply its Constitution in good faith, particularly the provisions governing elections and voting, including:
- Article 5(5.16) (p) – The General Congress has delegated the following powers and function to the Executive, - Appoint Committees and Commission in accordance with Article 5.15 of its Constitution, which states: “The Association shall ensure that the election process is transparent and widely publicised to all Members. The General Secretary shall be responsible for providing timely and accurate information regarding the election, including the nomination process, voting procedures, and critical dates, through appropriate communication channels such as official announcements, newsletters, or the Association's website:”
-Article 6 – Committees & Commissions
5. Transparent Election of the Water Polo Commission
We call for the current Water Polo Commission to be reviewed and, where permitted under the Constitution, reconstituted through a transparent and democratic process.
Eligible members should be given the opportunity to vote through a properly convened Congress meeting or transparent poll, with clear procedures for nominations, eligibility, voting, verification, counting and publication of results.
6. Representation on the ASATT Executive Board
We call for the ASATT Executive Board to reflect all disciplines within the Association, with meaningful representation rather than leadership being concentrated within one discipline.
We strongly call for qualified and experienced water polo representative(s)to be elected to the Executive Board to advocate for the best interests of water polo, with consideration given to representation in a presidential position, through a fair and transparent electoral process, given the size of the water polo community.
The designated representative should also be suitably qualified to chair the Water Polo Commission.
7. Meaningful Consultation
ASATT should consult with representatives of all water polo clubs before significant decisions affecting the sport are made.
This should include competitions, policies, procedures, athlete development, selection processes and international representation.
8. CARIFTA 2026 – Reconsideration of Trials and Participation
We also call for the October 3, 2026, CARIFTA trails and subsequent participation in the tournament, currently carded for the first week of November 2026 to be reconsidered, in light of the limited preparation timeframe.
This compressed timeline raises concerns regarding:
- Athlete welfare, including the risk of injury from overly intensive training;
- Adequate national-team preparation and the potential impact on competitive performance;
- Athletes being unclear about trial expectations and selection criteria;
- Parents and athletes having insufficient time to prepare for the commitments involved; and
- Families being required to self-fund significant tournament expenses within a very short timeframe.
We therefore call for meaningful consultation with athletes, parents, coaches and clubs before final decisions are made, with athlete welfare, proper preparation and responsible representation of Trinidad and Tobago remaining the priority.
9. Transparency Around International Competitions
Athletes and families representing Trinidad and Tobago deserve timely and clear information regarding international competitions.
This should include trial dates, selection criteria, eligibility, training and athlete expectations, competition details, estimated costs, and funding and travel arrangements.
This is especially important where families are required to personally fund significant international competition expenses.
10. A Stronger Future for Water Polo
We call upon ASATT to work collaboratively with the water polo community to strengthen, sustain and grow the sport.
Our athletes deserve support when representing Trinidad and Tobago.
Our families deserve timely information. Our clubs deserve a meaningful voice.
Water polo deserves governance grounded in knowledge, transparency, fairness, accountability and collaboration.
OUR COLLECTIVE CALL
We are not seeking division. We are seeking meaningful participation, transparency and collaboration.
We believe the future of water polo should be shaped by the collective knowledge and experience of those who have dedicated themselves to the sport.
If you believe water polo deserves a stronger voice, greater transparency and meaningful representation, add your name to this petition.
OUR SPORT. OUR ATHLETES. OUR VOICE.
ONE COMMUNITY. ONE PURPOSE. A STRONGER FUTURE FOR WATER POLO.
We respectfully call upon ASATT to formally acknowledge this petition and engage with ALL representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Water Polo Community on the matters raised herein.
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The Issue
WATER POLO DESERVES BETTER
Who Is Steering the Future of Water Polo?
A Collective Call for Transparency, Representation, Accountability and Meaningful Change
OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE
Water polo belongs to the entire water polo community – not to a select few.
We, the undersigned members and stakeholders of the Trinidad and Tobago Water Polo Community, respectfully call for greater transparency, meaningful representation, accountability and collaboration in the governance and development of water polo.
Our athletes, parents, families, coaches, managers, clubs and volunteers make significant personal, professional and financial commitments to support and grow the sport. Those who understand and contribute to water polo deserve a meaningful voice in decisions affecting its future.
WE ARE CALLING FOR:
1. Experienced Water Polo Leadership
The Water Polo Commission should include persons with demonstrated knowledge, experience and expertise in water polo, including current and former athletes, coaches, managers, administrators and representatives from water polo clubs.
2. Qualified Commission Chairperson
The Chairperson of the Water Polo Commission should be an experienced and suitably qualified person with profound knowledge and expertise in water polo.
The Chairperson should have appropriate autonomy to fulfil the Commission’s responsibilities and make decisions within its established mandate, while remaining accountable to The Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (hereinafter referred to as ‘ASATT’) Constitution, policies and applicable regulations.
3. Fair and Good-Faith Governance
We call upon the President of ASATT to act impartially and in good faith in all matters concerning water polo.
Decisions should be made fairly, transparently and in the best interests of the sport, free from bias, preferential treatment, personal agendas or other considerations unrelated to the advancement of water polo.
4. Respect for ASATT's Constitution
We call upon ASATT to uphold and apply its Constitution in good faith, particularly the provisions governing elections and voting, including:
- Article 5(5.16) (p) – The General Congress has delegated the following powers and function to the Executive, - Appoint Committees and Commission in accordance with Article 5.15 of its Constitution, which states: “The Association shall ensure that the election process is transparent and widely publicised to all Members. The General Secretary shall be responsible for providing timely and accurate information regarding the election, including the nomination process, voting procedures, and critical dates, through appropriate communication channels such as official announcements, newsletters, or the Association's website:”
-Article 6 – Committees & Commissions
5. Transparent Election of the Water Polo Commission
We call for the current Water Polo Commission to be reviewed and, where permitted under the Constitution, reconstituted through a transparent and democratic process.
Eligible members should be given the opportunity to vote through a properly convened Congress meeting or transparent poll, with clear procedures for nominations, eligibility, voting, verification, counting and publication of results.
6. Representation on the ASATT Executive Board
We call for the ASATT Executive Board to reflect all disciplines within the Association, with meaningful representation rather than leadership being concentrated within one discipline.
We strongly call for qualified and experienced water polo representative(s)to be elected to the Executive Board to advocate for the best interests of water polo, with consideration given to representation in a presidential position, through a fair and transparent electoral process, given the size of the water polo community.
The designated representative should also be suitably qualified to chair the Water Polo Commission.
7. Meaningful Consultation
ASATT should consult with representatives of all water polo clubs before significant decisions affecting the sport are made.
This should include competitions, policies, procedures, athlete development, selection processes and international representation.
8. CARIFTA 2026 – Reconsideration of Trials and Participation
We also call for the October 3, 2026, CARIFTA trails and subsequent participation in the tournament, currently carded for the first week of November 2026 to be reconsidered, in light of the limited preparation timeframe.
This compressed timeline raises concerns regarding:
- Athlete welfare, including the risk of injury from overly intensive training;
- Adequate national-team preparation and the potential impact on competitive performance;
- Athletes being unclear about trial expectations and selection criteria;
- Parents and athletes having insufficient time to prepare for the commitments involved; and
- Families being required to self-fund significant tournament expenses within a very short timeframe.
We therefore call for meaningful consultation with athletes, parents, coaches and clubs before final decisions are made, with athlete welfare, proper preparation and responsible representation of Trinidad and Tobago remaining the priority.
9. Transparency Around International Competitions
Athletes and families representing Trinidad and Tobago deserve timely and clear information regarding international competitions.
This should include trial dates, selection criteria, eligibility, training and athlete expectations, competition details, estimated costs, and funding and travel arrangements.
This is especially important where families are required to personally fund significant international competition expenses.
10. A Stronger Future for Water Polo
We call upon ASATT to work collaboratively with the water polo community to strengthen, sustain and grow the sport.
Our athletes deserve support when representing Trinidad and Tobago.
Our families deserve timely information. Our clubs deserve a meaningful voice.
Water polo deserves governance grounded in knowledge, transparency, fairness, accountability and collaboration.
OUR COLLECTIVE CALL
We are not seeking division. We are seeking meaningful participation, transparency and collaboration.
We believe the future of water polo should be shaped by the collective knowledge and experience of those who have dedicated themselves to the sport.
If you believe water polo deserves a stronger voice, greater transparency and meaningful representation, add your name to this petition.
OUR SPORT. OUR ATHLETES. OUR VOICE.
ONE COMMUNITY. ONE PURPOSE. A STRONGER FUTURE FOR WATER POLO.
We respectfully call upon ASATT to formally acknowledge this petition and engage with ALL representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Water Polo Community on the matters raised herein.
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Petition created on 29 September 2026