The CR KIDS project / “HaBaWaBa School” is structured around the following key pillars::
1. Digital Platform Adaptation & Development: The existing Coaching Reimagined digital platform will be further adapted and developed to support HaBaWaBa School water polo coaching content. This includes improvements in usability, content organisation, multimedia integration, and tools that support learning, sharing, and remote participation.
2. Youth-Specific Content Development (Ages 7–12): HaBaWaBa School will deliver a comprehensive youth water polo curriculum designed specifically for HaBaWaBa age groups (7–12 years old). The curriculum will include: 50 core skills, 5 drills per skill and supporting instructional videos and visual material
3. Free Online Webinars & Challenges: The project will deliver 8 free online webinars, led by expert coaches. Each webinar will: 1. Launch practical challenges that teams can complete remotely and share within the project community, 2. Present selected skills and drills from the curriculum, 3. Encourage discussion and knowledge exchange.
4. Activities during HaBaWaBa Festival: CR KIDS and HaBaWaBa School will be actively present during the HaBaWaBa International Festival, where the project will: 1. Offer onsite and online educational activities and short practical sessions, 2. Support young athletes and coaches, 3. Present the project, digital platform and curriculum, 4. Conclude with the official presentation of the project.
All content will be created with a strong developmental focus and aligned with the HaBaWaBa philosophy.
The CR project aims to create a space where coaches can organize, share, and manage their training materials, while also exploring new ways to make remote learning and remote coaching in team sports possible – a challenge that is particularly demanding in all team sports – especially those that lack resources.
We are also testing ways to integrate new technologies and learning models to help team sports catch up in this area too.
CR KIDS represents the second step of the Coaching Reimagined initiative. During the first phase of the project (2024–2025), we focused on identifying the needs of coaches, created collaborative water polo content aimed for older age groups, testing the pilot digital platform, and developing initial curriculum structures through real-world pilot implementations. Building on the experience, feedback, and results of that first phase, CR KIDS expands the project by developing youth-specific content, strengthening digital tools, and scaling the approach through international collaboration, online learning, and live activities.
More information about the first phase and its outcomes can be found here: cr.anemoss.eu
Curriculum & Developed Content (Ages 7–12)
The CR KIDS curriculum is designed specifically for HaBaWaBa age groups (7–12 years old) and follows a child-centred, developmental approach to youth water polo. The content focuses on building strong fundamentals, enjoyment of the sport, and age-appropriate learning while supporting coaches with structured and practical training resources.
The curriculum is developed by experienced, water polo coaches from the Waterpolo Development (WPD) organisation, in collaboration with the international HaBaWaBa community, combining top-level practical coaching expertise with structured educational methodology and digital tools.
- 35 core water polo skills, structured progressively according to age and development level
- 5 drills per skill (Total 175 drills), offering coaches multiple ways to teach and adapt each skill
- Instructional videos and visual material demonstrating correct execution and coaching points
- Methodology notes to support coaches in planning sessions and adapting drills to different group needs
- Practical challenges linked to skills and drills, encouraging participation, motivation, and remote engagement
- Digital-ready content, fully integrated into the CR KIDS platform for easy access, sharing, and use in online or onsite environments
This material will be available soon:
- In PDF format for free download from our website or our partners’ media channels (soon to be available)
- In interactive format through the program’s digital platform (currently in progress)
All materials are and will remain free of charge indefinitely.
Background and Philosophy of the initiative
The Project Coaching Reimagined introduces an innovative approach to team sports coaching through the development and implementation of a web-based learning platform. The initiative seeks to transform sports education into a more accessible, inclusive, and interactive experience for athletes and coaches as it empowers them to take an active role in their development while fostering collaboration and engagement within the coaching process.
Centered on the sport of water polo, the project is designed to scale across all team sports. A central outcome is the creation of a user-friendly digital platform that enables coaches to digitize, organize, and share their curriculum in a structured and customizable format. This mapping model not only simplifies curriculum design but also supports the seamless integration of individual coaching methodologies.
The CR KIDS project runs from December 2025 to November 2026. During the first phase, the focus is on adapting the digital platform and developing the youth-specific curriculum and multimedia content. In parallel, preparation for the online webinars and learning activities takes place. In 2026, the project delivers a series of free online webinars and challenges, followed by onsite activities and the final presentation during the HaBaWaBa International Festival (June 14–21, 2026). The project concludes with evaluation, reporting, and dissemination of results.
The first webinar will take place on January 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM CET.
Objectives and activities
Our Objectives
At Coaching Reimagined, our goal is to support coaches and athletes through digital innovation and collaboration. We’re working to make training easier to organize, more accessible, and better connected across Europe. By combining long-term goals with hands-on actions—like building a user-friendly platform, developing training content, and working closely with real teams—we aim to create a tool that’s useful now and sustainable into the future.
🟧Objectives
-Help coaches create and organize their training plans online
-Make learning easier with remote and flexible access
-Connect clubs and coaches across Europe
-Track athletes’ progress and performance
-Bring together sports professionals, managers and athletes
-Build a platform that can grow and last beyond the project
🟦What we are doing
-Making sure the project is high-quality and long-lasting
-Talking with coaches to understand their needs
-Building a simple and powerful digital platform
-Creating and sharing training content (videos, plans, skills, drills)
-Testing the platform with real teams and coaches
-Meeting regularly to plan, improve, and share ideas
-Sharing updates through social media and events
Team and Consortium
Meet Our Team
We’re proud to bring together a strong and diverse team of partners across Europe. Our consortium combines expertise in coaching, education, sports innovation, and digital development. Each organization plays a key role in shaping Coaching Reimagined and supporting athletes and coaches through the pilot and beyond.
Team and consortium
Our Consortium
Anemos Nautical and Cultural Club (Chania, Greece)
The sports and cultural club “Anemos” was established in
2005 in Chania, Greece. The philosophy of our club is to
promote physical and psychological health, sports, exercise, and culture. Our club has about 300 members, children and adults. We develop the sports of triathlon, open water swimming, volley, beach volley, beach tennis, badminton, and weight lifting for children and adults. In the cultural field, we have significant experience in exhibitions, art lessons for children, and art competitions.
Technical University of Crete (Chania, Greece)
It is one of the foremost Engineering Universities with a 5-year study program in Greece. The Special Account for Research Funding (ELKE) of the Technical University of Crete was founded in February 1988 and has already managed over 3000 research projects, educational development and other projects. The annual budget managed is approximately 10M €. Among its other goals (i.e. education, research), the TUC pursues the dissemination of technological developments to local, regional and international authorities, to stakeholders and provides support to public and private entities with its equipment and know-how to various actions that require specialized technical expertise. The Spatial Informatics Research Group (SenseLab) at the Technical University of Crete (TUC), Chania, Crete, Greece performs multi-disciplinary research in the area of geographic information systems (GIS), topology, satellite and aerial remote sensing analysis, design/construction of custom built aerial/sea and land-based remotely operated vehicles. For all these applications, dedicated databases and custom-built software packages are developed to support data analysis. This collaboration was further expanded as SenseLab designed, developed, and maintained the GIS-CRETE web-portal. Under the framework of GIS-CRETE, existing and new spatial information was gathered in a central database and applications tailored to the needs of various RoC directorates for internal communication and collaboration will be developed. At the same time, the interface between RoC and citizens was modernized contributing to the overall goal of e-governance
Water Polo Development (Italy)
WPD is a non-profit association established in 2007 by the most prominent figures in the global water polocommunity. Its primary mission is to promote, disseminate, and develop water polo across all five continents, aiming to make the sport universally practiced and to elevate its standards. WPD operates in collaboration with FINA(Now: World Aquatics Federation), continental, and national federations, as well as clubs, to implement constructive projects that often involve expert consultancy and support. A cornerstone of WPD’s strategy is the HaBaWaBa (Happy Baby Water Ball) project, designed to introduce children aged 6 to 11 to water polo. The flagship event, the HaBaWaBa International Festival, is held annually in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, attracting young athletes from around the world. Beyond
organizing events, WPD also conducts conferences, forums, workshops, and meetings to foster the exchange of ideas and promote the sport’s growth globally.
The HaBaWaBa Festival is an international event dedicated to promoting water polo among young athletes, typically between the ages of 6 and 13. Founded in 2008 by the Italian organization Waterpolo Development, the festival aims to cultivate a love for water sports, foster teamwork, and encourage intercultural exchange through a friendly and inclusive environment. Held annually in various locations, with the main event in Italy, HaBaWaBa brings together thousands of participants from around the world, creating a vibrant community united by a shared passion for water polo. Beyond competition, the festival emphasizes values such as fair play, respect, and sportsmanship while offering workshops, cultural activities, and educational programs to promote holistic development.
HaBaWaBa serves as a global platform for nurturing young talent, strengthening international friendships, and inspiring future generations to engage in healthy, active lifestyles through sport.
Club Aquatico Pescara (Pescara, Italy)
is an amateur sports association based in Pescara, Italy, dedicated to promoting aquatic sports, including
water polo, swimming, and synchronized swimming. Established in 2005, the club has become a prominent institution in the Abruzzo region, boasting over 430 members, making it the largest aquatic sports society in the area. The club operates primarily at the Piscina Provinciale di Pescara, located at Via Alessandro Volta, 15, 65129 Pescara PE. This facility serves as the central hub for the club’s diverse aquatic activities, offering a range of programs for both recreational and competitive athletes. The club offers comprehensive water polo programs across various age groups and skill levels, fielding teams in categories such as Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, Under-18, Serie C, and Serie B. In the 2024-2025 season, the Serie B team is under the guidance of head coach Yiannis Giannouris, a former head coach
of the Greek national men’s team. Giannouris also serves as the club’s general manager and technical director, working alongside a skilled coaching staff that includes Marco D’Altrui, Fabrizio D’Onofrio, Mattia De Ioris, and Fabio Di Fonzo.
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