Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
At the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships 2026 in Rio Maior, Portugal, Felipe Perrone engaged with around 150 athletes and 25 coaches from several countries. He presented to teams from New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore, Colombia, Hong Kong China, China, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, introducing them to the World Aquatics Athletes' Committee, Scholarship Programme, and available coaching education resources.
Perrone emphasized that the Athletes' Committee represents athletes, encouraging direct communication with decision-makers. He highlighted how technology, such as code scanning, now enables athletes’ opinions to reach the governing body—a significant shift from past practices where athletes had limited input.
The workshops also addressed athlete welfare issues, including concussion management and the prevention of competition manipulation, aiming to educate young players on important concerns beyond the pool. Perrone also shared video footage of his own playing to connect with the athletes.
Since its launch in 2014, the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme has supported over 100 athletes across aquatic sports through the 2025–2026 cycle, offering financial and technical assistance to help them advance their careers. The workshops aimed to inform athletes about this programme and encourage them to seek support.