Kraken Kommunity News

Written by Joanna Mazewski

Happy Spring, Team Orlando Water Polo Club friends, family and athletes! Our April newsletter is full of information, important dates, tournament updates and club news that you need to know.

Tournament News:

The Florida International Water Polo Tournament @FAST in Ocala, Florida is quickly approaching. The dates are April 19th and 20th. Team Orlando will be taking our 14u and 12u teams.

The tournament fee is $100 and can be paid on our website. Hotels can be booked at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Ocala.

Fairfield Address:

4101 SW 38th Ct

Ocala, FL 34474

FAST Aquatic Center

4635 SW 67th Ave

Ocala, FL 34474

For more information, please reach out to Coach Leo and Coach Ori. If your athlete is unable to attend, please notify the coaches immediately.

Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Trident Cup 

We will be hosting our first annual Trident Cup on May 17th-19th. We will once again need all hands on deck with our parent volunteers.

Chick-Fil-A will be at our tournament both Friday and Saturday and will donate 15 percent of sales to Team Orlando. 

We will have training sessions available in the coming weeks at both the high school districts championships along with another meeting at the Rosen Aquatic Center in late April. Be on the lookout for dates.

Junior Olympics in Dallas, Texas

Team Orlando will also be participating in this year’s Junior Olympics in Dallas, Texas. The dates are July 31-April 3. We are currently looking to take a 14u boys, 14u girls, 16u boys and 18u boys and 18u girls teams. More information will become available in the coming weeks ahead.

Summer Registration:

Our summer registration for both our High School program and Juniors program is underway. Please see our flyers for more details about pricing options and summer dates.

For the High School Summer Program, we offer two flexible payment options:

1. One-time Payment – A single upfront payment of $550.
2. Three-Payment Plan – A convenient option to pay in three installments of $193.

For the Juniors summer season, we increase training to four practices per week to take advantage of the longer break and accelerate player development. 

To support this enhanced schedule for our Juniors program, there will be a one-time summer season fee of $138, which covers the additional practice time.

Also, please note  that our Juniors program is open to all players ( generally ages 10 - 15) water polo players in the Central Florida area.  We accept athletes at any experience level, provided that they can able to meet a basic swimming and treading standard. 

Athlete Spotlight:

Congratulations to our 18u athletes Maran Harris and Dora Chen. Both participated in the ODP Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah. They both represented SEZ and Team Orlando well!

Also, congratulations to our Middle School athletes for their job well done at the Middle School League Finals at the NTC in Clermont. Our sixth grade team placed second while our 8th grade team came in fourth place. Congratulations!

Looking Ahead:

• Florida International Water Polo Tournament at FAST in Ocala, Florida April 19-20th
• Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Trident Cup May 16, 17, and 18th
• South East Zone Championships at the Rosen Aquatic Center and Lake Highland Preparatory School, June 20, 21, and 22nd
• USAWP Junior Olympics in Dallas, Texas July 31-August 3rd

Written by Joanna Mazewski

Happy March Madness, Team Orlando Water Polo Club friends, family and athletes! We’ve got some special announcements, reminders and schedule changes for our March newsletter.

Housekeeping:

Our Juniors program will not have practices during the week of March 24th due to the ongoing swim meets at the Rosen Aquatic Center.

Our practices will resume during the week of Monday, March 31st at our regular scheduled practice times.

Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Attendance Policy:

• Attendance at Practices and Games: Players are expected to attend all scheduled practices, games, and team functions as a priority commitment during the season.
• Punctuality: Players are expected to be on time (e.g., 30 minutes early to practices and games) and participate in pre-practice, warm-ups, and other team activities.
• Communication: Parents and athletes are expected to communicate all known absences via text, email, or phone call to the Head Coach as soon as they are aware of an excused absence.
• Coach's Discretion: The Head Coach, following association guidelines, will determine whether an absence is excused.

General Conduct Policy at Team Orlando Water Polo Club:

• Respect: All participants (players, coaches, parents, officials, and spectators) must treat each other with respect, regardless of race, gender, ability, or any other characteristic.
• Good Sportsmanship: Athletes are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, both on and off the field. There is a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, violence, profanity, or any other behavior that could endanger the health, safety, or well-being of others.

Athlete Spotlight:

Congratulations to our athletes Mete Gunduz, Emanuel Pardo, Ty De Wachter and Alejandro Delgado for participating in their first professional water polo tournament with the Nessies Water Polo Club in Ocala, Florida. Our four athletes are part of their 18u All Star program.

For those not in the know, the Nessies are creating a a new pathway for athletes to pursue their passion for water polo beyond high school, offering opportunities to play professionally and earn a potential living from the sport in our own country.

Once again, congratulations!

Coach Spotlight: Coach Leo Leon Ramirez

Coach Leo graduated in 1997 from Dr. Phillips, where he was a swimmer and played water polo. He was part of the men’s swim team’s 1995 state championship team, which was not expected to win. Leon Ramirez also held the school record in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:43.22. 

After graduating from the University of Florida upon transferring from the University of Massachusetts, he came back to DP to work as an assistant under former head coach Bruce Follensbee. Ramirez became the head water polo coach in 2006. In 2017, he added swimming and diving to his duties. 

Looking Ahead

• Middle School Tournament at the NTC in Clermont on March 30th
• Florida International Water Polo Tournament at FAST in Ocala, Florida April 19-20th
• Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Trident Cup May 16, 17, and 18th
• South East Zone Championships at the Rosen Aquatic Center and Lake Highland Preparatory School, June 20, 21, and 22nd
• USAWP Junior Olympics in Dallas, Texas July 31-August 3rd

Written by Joanna Mazewski

Our Juniors program is growing and thriving! If you know of anyone who is interested in joining the team, have them come out for a trial run during our normal practice times of Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 to 7pm.

Please note that our program accepts athletes at any experience level. However, a basic swimming and treading standard is required, though some competitions include additional requirements. 

Splashball Program

Our Splashball program is designed specifically for younger players and is a great way to introduce children to the sport of water polo. The rules and equipment are modified to make the game easier and more accessible for young players, and the focus is on skill-building and teamwork.

Who can play?

• Splashball is for children ages 5–11 
• Players should be able to swim a short distance and tread water for a minute 

What do players learn? 

• Basic water polo skills like swimming, dribbling, passing, catching, and shooting
• How to play in a team environment
• How to work hard and depend on others

Our Splashball program practices every Monday from 5-6:15pm.

12u and 14u Scrimmage at Seminole High School

A note from Mrs. Stacey (Ty and Duke’s mom):

The 12u & 14u kids have been invited to Seminole for a scrimmage from 7-8:15 on Tuesday, February 4th.

Seminole High School

2701 Ridgewood Ave, Sanford FL, 32773

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Mrs. Stacey or Coach Ori.

Spirit Night

Support our team by dining with Chipotle on Monday, March 3rd, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 7800 Dr Phillips Blvd, Ste 100, Orlando, FL 32819.

How it works:

• 25% of sales from this event will be donated to our club, but only if orders follow the required steps.

How to ensure your purchase counts:

1. In-Restaurant Orders: Show the flyer at checkout.
2. Online Orders for Pickup: Use the fundraiser code 8YXTABP when placing your order through the Chipotle website or app.

Important Notes:

• Delivery, gift cards, and orders placed through third-party apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.) will NOT count towards the fundraiser.
• A minimum of $150 in total event sales is required for the team to receive a donation.

Your participation helps support our players! Thank you for your support, and enjoy your meal!

Housekeeping

There are upcoming opportunities to learn how to work the tables for our tournaments. 

On Wednesdays 2/05 and 2/12 Dr. Phillips Water Polo will be hosting games from 2-5. The first game at 2:30 second at 3:30.

If you are able to stop by please let Mrs. Carla (Emanuel’s mom) know. We will try and keep the tables open and available for the evening to have more practice time.

Coach Spotlight

Coach Ori Scanlon has been with us since April 2022. He is a graduate of Olympia High School’s class of 2017 and comes to us from McKendree University. 

With an illustrious career as a goalkeeper, Ori registered 265 saves in 26 games and was named Player of the Game in back to back conference championships while at Olympia.

At McKendree and during his 2018 season, he made 52 saves in the net and was named MAWPC Western Region MAP and was also on the MAWPC Western Region All-Tournament and Second Team All-Conference teams.

Looking Ahead

• 12u/14u scrimmage with Seminole Water Polo Club, February 4th
• Chipotle spirit night at the Dr. Phillips Marketplace on March 3rd.
• Florida International Water Polo Tournament at FAST in Ocala, Florida April 19-20th
• Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Trident Cup May 16, 17, and 18th

Written by Joanna Mazewski

Happy New Year, Team Orlando Water Polo Club friends, family and athletes! We’ve got some special announcements, reminders and schedule changes for our first team newsletter of 2025.

Tournament Recap:

Team Orlando WPC kicked off the new year at one of our favorite tournaments: the Patriot Water Polo Club Invitational.

Our 12u and 18u boys both came home with gold while our 14u mixed team finished with an impressive 2nd place finish as well. Congratulations to all of our athletes on a job well done!

Also, a special shout out to all of the parents who helped with our hot cocoa station. 

A Message from Coach Leo:

Great weekend everyone! Team Orlando WPC finished with two gold medals and a silver!   The most successful program at the tournament. Thank you to all of our coaches, players and parents.

Schedule Change for the week of January 6th:

• Monday - OFF
• Tuesday- HS group 7:00-8:30 pm
• Wednesday- HS 2-4pm / Juniors 5-7pm
• Thursday - HS hours 7:00-8:30 pm

Coach Spotlight:

We’d like to formally introduce our Coach Paige Baker. She began an accomplished water polo career by playing for Lake Mary High School, earning an All-American title as Captain her senior year, and appearing in 3 straight state tournaments.  

While in high school, Paige played club for Florida Coast Water Polo and Patriot Water Polo, qualifying for several Junior Olympic Tournaments. Paige played water polo for the club team at Florida State University and helped them reach the CWPA National Championship Tournament her senior year as captain.   

After graduating Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, she then came back to coach FSU water polo, and as the head coach, leading them to 10th in the nation at the CWPA National Championship Tournament.   

Looking Ahead:

• High School water polo season runs through January 9th.
• Chipotle spirit night at the Dr. Phillips Marketplace on March 3rd.
• Dynamo Atlanta Invite May 3-4 in Atlanta, Georgia (all age groups).

Written by Joanna Mazewski

December is going to be an exciting month for our athletes as we’ve got a fundraiser coming up, the Beast of the East tournament and a team holiday party in the works. 

There’s also no doubt that our athletes and parents have noticed a new coaching staff on deck: Alex Runnells. He is a 2023 graduate of Wekiva High School and one of the most talented water polo players in the Central Florida area. Alex will be working with our middle school program and will assist with our high school teams as well. We are excited to have him on board. 

Announcement 

We have a new membership and registration page that includes subscriptions for our Juniors and Splashball programs (High School is currently seasonal at this time). There are sibling discounts that are predefined in the links. Please reach out to our coaching staff if you need more details or have any additional questions.

Our Team Orlando Water Polo Club calendar is also live and updated on our site with all of the latest updates on our practice and tournament schedule. It can be subscribed to with your mobile device and Google account.

Friendly Reminders

There will be no practice for our high school athletes on Thursday, December 5th due to a swim meet at the Rosen.

BurgerFi Fundraiser

Don’t forget that our fundraiser at BurgerFi is on Monday, December 9 anytime between 11am-10:30pm at 7730 Palm Parkway.

When you purchase your meal, mention your group's name and follow the restaurant's instructions to receive 20% of your meal's price donated back to Team Orlando Water Polo Club.

Beast of the East Tournament:

Our next tournament will be the Beast of the East at the National Training Center in Clermont December 13-15th.

The entry fee for this tournament will be $65 per athlete.

Currently, we have the following teams:

• 18u boys
• 18u girls
• 15u boys
• 15u boys
• 13u boys
• 13u girls

Holiday Schedule for December:

Please mark your calendars for our holiday schedule. Both our Juniors and High School will have a modified schedule. Also, please note that our Splashball hours will remain  the same.

Our practices will be from 8–10am on the following dates: 

• December 23rd, 26th, 30th, 31st
• January 2nd

See our newly published Schedule.

Athlete Highlight:

Hana Atta is a senior at Dr. Phillips High School and a vital member of our 18u girls team. When asked about why local athletes should join our club, Hana said:

“There are so many reasons to join Team Orlando Water Polo Club. One of those is the team spirit and the bond we all share together as a family – it’s irreplaceable. We have so much fun at tournaments, especially when we host; it’s like a family. Not to mention the amount of skills we gain, like improving game strategy and swimming, and staying fit! Plus, our great staff makes it even better.”

Our 18u athletes Mete Gunduz and Emanuel Pardo participated in the Rip Tides tournament this past weekend in Miami and represented us well! Way to go, boys!

Looking Ahead:

• High School water polo season runs now through January 9th.
• Team Orlando Water Polo Holiday party (more details to come).
• December 13-15, 2024: Beast of The East - 
  • National Training Center, in Clermont, FL
• January 3 - 5, 2025: Patriot Water Polo Winter Invitational

Written by Joanna Mazewski

Our high school winter season has just kicked off this week. As a reminder, Team Orlando Water Polo Club is open to all high school water polo players from the Central Florida area. Our program accepts athletes at any experience level, provided that they can meet a basic swimming and treading standard.

Come join our high school athletes every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5pm and Wednesday from 2-4pm at the Rosen Aquatic Center.

Battle of the Bay Recap:

Our 12u team won 2nd place at the Battle of the Bay tournament while our 15u team went an impressive 2-2 during their weekend in Tampa. Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches and a huge thank you to our parents who provided snacks and refreshments and most importantly, all of their support.

Beast of the East Tournament:

Our next tournament will be the Beast of the East at the National Training Center in Clermont December 13-15th.

The entry fee for this tournament will be $65 per athlete.

Currently, we have the following teams:

• 18u boys
• 18u girls
• 15u boys
• 13u boys (coed)

Pending

• 15u girls
• 13u girls

Holiday Schedule:

Please mark your calendars for our holiday schedule. Both our Juniors and High School will have a modified schedule. Also, please note that our Splashball hours will remain  the same.

Our practices will be from 8–10am on the following dates: 

• November 25th, 26th and 27th
• December 23rd, 26th, 30th, 31st
• January 2nd

ODP Zone camps in Clermont:

As many athletes and parents know by now, the 2024/2025 ODP tryouts for water polo in Florida will take place at various locations across the state. These camps are open to ALL USAWP Silver or Gold athletes.

The boys zone camp will take place on Saturday, November 16th at the National Training Center while the girls camp will be on Sunday, November 17th at the same location.

Athlete Highlight:

Mete Gunduz is a senior at Dr. Phillips High School and a standout goalie for our club. When asked about why local athletes should join our club, Mete said:

“Team Orlando's team dynamic is unmatched. We're not just teammates or regular friends but we become a family, a loyal and fun family that keeps everyone motivated and excited for each and every practice and game, to a point where we forget that waterpolo is actually the toughest sport you can play.”

Looking Ahead:

• High School water polo season runs now through January 9th.
• Team Orlando car wash fundraiser in the works. More details to come.
• December 13-15, 2024: Beast of The East - 
  • National Training Center, in Clermont, FL
• January 3 - 5, 2025: Patriot Water Polo Winter Invitational

Written by Joanna Mazewski

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Team Orlando Water Polo Newsletter. We're thrilled to bring you the latest updates and important information regarding our Kraken Kommunity. Whether you're a parent, player, or fan, dive into our pages to stay connected and celebrate the journey of our athletes, both in and out of the water.

Nightmare on I-Drive Recap

Team Orlando's largest polo tournament to date, the 2nd Annual Nightmare on I-Drive, was a tremendous learning experience for our organization. We're excited to enhance future tournaments.

A Note from Coach Leo

Our recent 110-game tournament was a great success. Some of you clocked in over 30 hours of work across the 3 days, and we at Team Orlando are incredibly grateful for your dedication. We'll continue working with our staff to ensure even smoother operations in the future. Once again, THANK YOU

By the Numbers

• 2371 Points
• 110 Games
• 53 Teams
• 22 Clubs
• 4 Pools
• 3 Days
• Bonus: 1 Chicken Wing Truck SOLD OUT

MVP Award

A huge congratulations to our own 18u’s Dora Chen (Dr. Phillips High School)  for winning the MVP award.

Announcement

We're excited to announce the formation of the inaugural Team Orlando Board of Directors. Our dedicated initial board members have already stepped up to help guide and enhance our community:

• President: Novica Petrusic
• VP Website: Tobey Gossen
• Secretary: Joanna Mazewski
• Treasurer: Carla Morales
• Operations: Roxanna O’Neil
• Player Agent: Leo Leon Ramirez
• Coach Coordinator: Reggie Rivera

Our aim is to provide a fun, safe, and enjoyable sporting environment that encourages all members to reach their full potential. We strive to promote and foster individual and team excellence and develop lifelong bonds through our strong community spirit.  We are excited to see what we accomplish together.

Battle of the Bay Registration

Registration is OPEN for Battle of the Bay tournament in Tampa through our website. The registration fee covers entry, coaches' fees, and coach transportation and accommodation.   If you register after Nov 1, the price goes up. Get your registration now.

Currently, our 12u and 15u teams are scheduled to participate. We've secured a block of rooms at the SpringHill Suites Clearwater Beach Hotel. For additional details, please contact Coach Ori.

Looking Ahead:

• November 11, 2024: High School water polo season
  •  Be on the lookout for more information soon.
• December 13-15, 2024: Beast of The East - 
  • National Training Center, in Clermont, FL
• January 3 - 5, 2025: Patriot Water Polo Winter Invitational