World Aquatics is preparing to launch a new, structured educational courses for Technical Officials - and water polo will be among the first sports to go live. At the heart of the project is Boris Margeta, a six-time Olympian referee and President of the World Water Polo Referees' Association, who has been instrumental in developing the course content. He spoke to World Aquatics about what the new system means for the sport, and why access to knowledge changes everything.
Water polo will be among the first sports to offer courses through CORAL, World Aquatics' new online learning platform, as the International Federation begins rolling out a new structured education system for Technical Officials across all aquatic sports.
Accessible Courses Built for Everyone
The new pathway divides officials into three levels - bronze, silver and gold. The bronze course, which launches first, is delivered entirely online through the World Aquatics learning platform - Community for Online Resources And Learning (CORAL). Silver will follow later in 2026 with a blended approach combining online and in-person learning, while gold - aimed at the sport's elite officials - will be fully in person. Access to the courses is through National Federation nomination.
CORAL is designed to do more than host course material. It functions as a social hub, giving officials from across the world a space to connect and build a united and supportive international community.
Boris Margeta, the Slovenian referee who has officiated at six Olympic Games and has served as President of the World Water Polo Referees' Association for eight years, has been developing the content for the water polo courses across all three levels. He is clear about what the new courses solve.
"Our common goal is that, in every continent, referees have the same opportunity to access knowledge, to learn about the latest developments, and to develop the skills they need"
“The courses are unique, and depending on the level, they include e-learning and in-person learning components. Basically, we want everything about World Aquatics regulations, equipment, officials - everything you need to officiate at water polo competitions - available to all persons intending to become international referees, which was never the case before.
“There was always a big issue that, in less developed countries, it was very difficult to access material and knowledge. With these courses, everything is available with two or three clicks.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Margeta came to refereeing after a career as a swimmer, then a water polo player and coach. He was 25 when he took his first international assignment and officiated at his first Olympics in Sydney in 2000. He describes what happened next simply: “My love for refereeing water polo increased tremendously. It changed my life completely.”
That experience gives him a particular view on what the new pathway needs to instil in the next generation - not just knowledge, but the habit of seeking it out.
"I want to encourage my young colleagues: go, take the opportunity to gain knowledge and always ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Those who never ask will never know."
With competition rules always subject to change, Margeta identifies adaptability as one of the most critical qualities a modern referee can have - and one of the key reasons a structured education platform is so important.
“Our [a referee/official’s] job has changed. The ability to adapt - to understand why we are doing things differently, and to be consistent in your engagement with education - is essential. I think genetically we do not like change when we are comfortable, but sport moves forward and we must move with it.”
It is a philosophy that runs through everything Margeta does and one that he hopes the new format of courses for water polo referees will help instil in a new generation of water polo officials worldwide.
National Federations wishing to nominate candidates for the World Aquatics Water Polo Technical Officials' Bronze Level Course should submit their nominations via GMS by 23:59 CET on 31 August 2026.