When 20 nations gathered in Rio Maior, Portugal, for the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships 2026, the world's best young players came for the competition. Between matches, they also got something else: face time with one of the sport's most decorated figures, and a direct line to the people representing them at the top of the sport.

The Championships marked the launch of a new World Aquatics initiative that will see athlete ambassadors attend every junior event this summer, delivering dedicated workshops for athletes and coaches. The goal is simple: bring information about the World Aquatics Athletes' Committee, the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme and coaching education directly to the athletes and coaches who can benefit from it most, at the moment their international journeys are beginning.

First up was Felipe Perrone. The five-time Olympian capped a two-decade international career last summer by scoring the final goal in Spain's gold-medal victory at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025. In Rio Maior, he delivered presentations to full teams and coaching staff from New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore, Colombia, Hong Kong China, China, Canada, Australia and hosts Portugal.

In total, Perrone connected with approximately 150 athletes and 25 coaches over the course of the Championships. Some sessions were held with individual teams, others brought two nations together in the same room.

“I told them: I'm not here as a former professional athlete,” Perrone said. “I'm here as a water polo player talking to water polo players. That's it. And once they understood that, the questions didn't stop.”

Giving young athletes a voice

For the athletes, the sessions began with recognition - of their performances in the pool and their conduct throughout the competition - before turning to the reason Perrone was there: making sure every player knows that the Athletes' Committee exists to represent them, and knows how to reach it.

“When I was their age, nobody asked me what I thought about anything,” said Perrone.

"Now these athletes can scan a code and their opinion lands directly with the people who make decisions. That's a huge change that is really important"
By Felipe Perrone

Athletes were introduced to the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme, which has supported rising talent since its launch in 2014 and currently supports over 100 athletes across aquatic sports through the 2025–2026 cycle, providing financial and technical support to help them fulfil their potential. The sessions also raised awareness on two topics central to athlete welfare: concussion, and the prevention of competition manipulation.

And because a legend never quite leaves the water, Perrone brought along footage of his own skills filmed with cameras above and below the surface - a showcase that quickly became the highlight of the sessions

Supporting the coaches behind the athletes

Perrone also then spoke to coaches with a dedicated session covering the World Aquatics Coaches' Certification Courses and CORAL, the organisation's e-learning platform launched in 2025, which gives coaches anywhere in the world access to the same high-quality education resources. Coaches also learned about the scholarship opportunities available to their athletes, equipping them to open doors for the players they guide every day.

Perrone also took the opportunity to meet with the National Federation representative, reinforcing the links between athletes, coaches, federations and World Aquatics that the initiative is designed to strengthen.

“We always say athletes are the centre of the sport,” Perrone said. “We need to find them where they are, as they start their careers, so they feel supported, empowered and valued. That's what this summer is about.”

Rio Maior was only the beginning. Athlete ambassadors will deliver workshops for athletes and coaches at every remaining World Aquatics junior event this summer:

For the young athletes competing at these events, the message from Rio Maior is clear: World Aquatics, and the champions you grew up watching, are there to support.