Meet Us
Meet the team, mission, vision, and values
What is BIWPA?
The Barcelona Internacional Water Polo Academy (BIWPA) is a project of excellence and quality moved by the enthusiasm and willingness to educate young water polo players at all athletic, human, and intellectual levels.
BIWPA was born in 2014 to broadcast a way of training that has been developing particularly in Spain, based on improving and enhancing individual skills.
We offer a variety of camps, conceived and directed by renowned coaches with international recognition. These are programs based on sporting excellence, both for young players who want to improve their technique and for teams who want to elevate their game.
We believe in a methodology that has been successfully developing for 15-20 years in the Catalan Swimming Federation (FCN) and in Barcelona, which focuses on the fundamentals, the individual and technique and tactics, combined with real game situations and decision making.
We're celebrating 10 years!
2014 - 2024
Mission, Vision, and Values
We are a recognized and passionate professional team in water polo, offering training for all stakeholders in the sector in various formats tailored to their needs, striving for excellence in every step we take.
Our Mission
To provide the best educational and experiential option in the water polo sector to the entire interested community (athletes and professionals in the sector).
Continuously expanding our range of services, adapting them to new needs that may arise for our target audience. Therefore, we aim to generate growth for our organization and water polo as a sport. Expanding our international presence in countries where there is a passion for the sport but with lower knowledge and levels.
Our Vision
We aim for excellence in all the programs we offer, which is why we aspire to become international benchmarks in the world of water polo and to foster its growth.
We strive to be top-of-mind for our target audience as a successful methodology and to have a highly experienced technical team.
The BIWPA Values
Adaptability
We are constantly evolving, creating services tailored to the needs of our target audience. That's why we are also approachable and flexible.
Passion
Our passion for water polo is our driving force and what motivates us to help young athletes achieve their maximum potential.
Excellence
It is the point we aim to reach, our aspiration in every step we take, as well as what we want to share with our users/customers.
Teamwork
It is our overarching value in all the programs we develop. Our technical team is key to our success.
Discipline/Sacrifice
We work and convey the importance of discipline to achieve success both within our organization and with all the athletes who go through BIWPA.
BIWPA - Academy - Club
Founders
A family-owned company passionate about water polo
Cristina Marin
General Manager
Quim Colet
Sports Director
Yuri Colet
Head Coach
Eric Colet
Sales Agent
Cristina Marin, General Manager:
It all began in January 2013 when my family and I were watching a TV program called "Informe Robinson" on Canal Plus, which featured a basketball academy in the Canary Islands. This inspired us to dream big. The idea of creating an international water polo academy emerged, with the belief that our athletes could excel both in sports and academics from Barcelona, one of the water polo capitals in the world. Little did we know that this vision would lead to the creation of BIWPA.
Behind the Scenes
Meet our Team
Management
She is the boss who inspires all the team, leads with enthusiasm, and creates a positive, collaborative atmosphere.
Cristina Marin
General Manager
All the sports-related decisions are overseen by Quim, one of the organization's founder and pro coach at CN Sabadell.
Quim Colet
Sports Director
Manages training trips for teams looking to experience Barcelona's rich water polo tradition and explore its many attractions
Cynthia Segura
Training Trips Manager
Leads the international expansion of the company, spreading the way we understand the sport overseas.
Ferran Pascual
International Business Development & Coach
He is in charge of the organization's communications and marketing strategies, both internal and external.
Martí Cercavins
Communications & Marketing Manager
Responsible for organizing our tournaments, typically three-day events for teams of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Saül Sanz
Tournaments Manager
Oversees Academy requests and admissions, and is responsible for following up with families and supporting the athletes on a daily basis.
Xell Siré
Academy Admissions Director
BIWPA Co-Founder, he is in charge of all our Academy and Club training sessions and games throughout the entire season.
Yuri Colet
Academy Head Coach
Office Team
Oversees all financial movements within the organization.
David Verge
Financial Manager
He is one of our sales agents, mainly involved with tournaments.
Eric Colet
Sales Agent
Implements workflow procedures and supports trips planning.
Meri Espinazo
Assistant Manager
Handles branding and graphic design while providing support for content creation.
Ariadna Vela
Graphic Designer
Responsible for managing all BIWPA merchandise, gear, and both online and physical shops.
Ferran Fuentes
Shop Manager
Provides support to events and trips, managing a wide range of logistical and operational tasks.
Pablo Morán
Events & Trips Coordinator
Pro water polo player, she is the primary point of contact for all athletes interested in joining our Barcelona camps.
Mar Navarro
Camps Coordinator
'Ale' competed in D1 for four years at USC and is now actively contributing to BIWPA's US expansion.
Alejandra Aznar
International Relations
Academy Coaches
One of our most experienced coaches, he is involved with our Academy and Club.
Gabor Egedi
Academy & Club Coach
Bia works both with our Academy and Club and coaches our two women's teams.
Bia Cavaleiro
Academy & Club Coach
Aina is the assistant coach of CNAB's pro women's team and is involved with our Academy.
Aina Pastor
Academy Coach
Tiago has coached at the highest level in Portugal and Spain.
Tiago Sasha
Freelance Coach
Operations
Takes care of all paperwork, visa management, and contact with families.
Ameyali Fonseca
VISA & Family Support
Oversees our residential student-athletes on a daily basis.
Sergio Vanegas
Tutor
Oversees our residential student-athletes on a daily basis.
JuanMi López
Tutor
She provides academic support and guidance to local athletes.
Cristina Sotés
Academic Support
Our values at work
Generosity, humility, trust, enthusiasm, and commitment.
Brand Ambassadors
Our brand ambassadors regularly participate in our programs—including the Academy, camps, clinics, and trips—where they coach and provide athletes with guidance drawn from their international high-performance experience.