The world governing body for water polo, FINA, has approved a range of rule changes that will be implemented during this years Australian Water Polo League (AWL).

To give an insight into how the new rules will be interpreted, Australia's Premier referee Danny Flahive, is coming to Dawny to talk to our Australian Water Polo League (AWL) teams.

Any coaches, athletes or team officials are welcome to come down to Dawny from 6pm on Monday 7th January.

Following are the rule changes approved by the FINA Extraordinary Congress:

• The possession time to be reset to 20 seconds after:
  a) a corner throw awarded;
  b) a rebound after a shot which does not cause change of possession and
  c) after an exclusion
• Inside the 6m area, when a player is swimming with and/or holding the ball and is impeded (attacked) from behind during an attempt to shoot, a penalty foul must be awarded (unless only the ball is touched by the defender)
• Free throw shall be taken from the location of the ball (except if the foul is committed inside the 2m line)
• A goal may be scored from a free throw awarded outside 6 meters from a direct shot or after fake or dribble or putting the ball on the water. (Referees shall use signals if the foul happened outside the 6m line.)
• A player taking a corner throw may shoot directly or swim and shoot without passing or pass to another player
• An additional substitution re-entry area will be at any place between the goal line and the center field line for flying substitutions
• Each team may request 2 time-outs during the game at any time while possessing the ball – and a time-out calling device (button) should be used to call a time-out
• The goalkeeper is allowed to move beyond and touch the ball past the half distance line
• There shall be a 3-minute interval between the second and third period
• The use of audio equipment by the game referees
• The use of game video monitoring system to identify and sanction incidents of brutality or extreme violence that occurred but were not appropriately punished or identified during a game
• The use of video monitoring system to determine goal or no goal (where available).