Start a Water Polo team at your School
Do you want to start a Water Polo team at your School?
Manitoba Water Polo is running a school league this winter for grades 6-8
Talk to your school and get back to coach Mike and I can help find a coach for the team.
Below are some important points:
- High School Water Polo was operated successfully this past Fall.
- Middle-Years is in the winter but in "normal" times both occur in the Fall.
- Safety - Water Polo is a physical sport but also one that is very safe. Athletes aren't breaking bones, blowing up knees ... Pools are also populated with several first-aid responders (lifeguards). I have been involved as a player, official, and coach for 30+ yrs and have never been aware of any serious health & safety occurrences during school Water Polo.
- The only requirement of athletes is that they can swim 2-4 laps in the deep end. No prior playing experience is needed.
- Equipment needed by student-athletes is a swimsuit (recommended that girls wear a one-piece; boys - board shorts, jammers, "speedo")
- 8-10 students per team. If demand is high, schools can form multiple teams per gender or operate as co-ed (middle-years only)
- Practice Schedule: 1x/wk at Pan Am Pool (arranged by coach)
- Games: Saturdays and/or Sundays at Pan Am Pool
- Coaches - Michael Reid, head coach of Vortex Water Polo will arrange a coach(es).
- Cost per student = ~$50-75 (covers the cost to enter a team into league and Manitoba Water Polo membership/insurance)
- Other Equipment - no equipment purchases are required by the school. All sport-specific equipment like balls, caps, goals is loaned to schools at no cost by MWPA.
- Water Polo is a very inclusive sport. Can you swim? Do you have a swimsuit? Let's play!
Info below from MWPA
MWPA is excited to launch our Middle Years School Water Polo program starting mid-January 2022.
Water Polo 4s (also known as Beach Water Polo) will be the new structure for the 2022 season. Each team shall consist of four players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper. We feel pivoting to Water Polo 4’s will be a fun and safe way to continue offering water polo this year and in the future.
The 2022 team structure will be co-ed. Gender specific teams are also welcome. Middle Years water polo is for participants in grade 6, 7 and 8.
Rather than an extended season of play as normally offered, we will move into a more tournament-based structure.
Overview:
• School league practices will commence January 15, 2022.
• School league mini tournaments will take place on Feb 18, 19 and 20, March 4, 5, and 6 and March 26 and 27. Final schedule will be based on the number of teams entered.
• School rosters will contain no more than 10 players per team. Schools can submit multiple teams.
• Middle years teams will not use a shot clock.
• League fees will be confirmed after school teams are fully registered. Fees tentatively set at: $250 per team.
• All athletes, coaches, and team managers must purchase a MWPA membership.
o Athletes: Community membership - $30
o Coaches and Team Managers: Volunteer membership - $0
Please share this news with your friends and families. MWPA is welcoming new schools to the league. For more information contact the MWPA office at manitobawaterpolo01@gmail.com.
To confirm a team for the 2022 season, please submit the following to the MWPA Office by January 5, 2022.
• Name of School
• Address of School
• School Manager and contact information
• School Coach and contact information
The website to register for the 2022 MY School Water Polo League will go live January 3, 2022.
Happy holidays!
Bruce Rose | Executive Director | Manitoba Water Polo Association
E: manitobawaterpolo01@gmail.com
P: 204-290-2800 F: 204-925-5703
