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New To Water Polo? Lets Get our Feet Wet!
What Do I Need to Bring to My First Water Polo Practice?
For your child's first Water Polo practice, please ensure they bring the following essential items:
- A comfortable swimwear (swimsuit)
- A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the practice
- A towel for drying off
They will need a USAWP membership number - Bronze level. See below for more information. That's it! Your child is ready to dive into their first Water Polo adventure!
What if I Don't Know Anything About Water Polo?
No worries at all! Water Polo is a sport that's easy to learn and enjoy, regardless of prior experience. In fact, athletes are grouped by age and ability level, so it's completely okay to start from scratch.
You'll have the opportunity to learn alongside your child, and coaches will be happy to introduce you to the basics of the game.
Why Do I Need to Join USA Water Polo?
As a parent and athlete with Team Orlando, membership in USA Water Polo (USAWP) is required for several important reasons:
- Insurance: USAWP serves as our insurer for all club activities, providing coverage for injuries and accidents that may occur during practices, games, or tournaments.
- Tournament Play: Membership is also necessary to participate in tournament play, which is an essential part of the Water Polo experience.
- Customization Options: USAWP offers different levels of membership, catering to various levels of commitment and involvement. For beginners, the Bronze level is a great starting point.
What's Next?
Once your Team Orlando membership has been confirmed, head over to the USAWP website to start your membership process. Follow the prompts to select the appropriate membership level and complete the registration process. This will ensure you're covered for insurance purposes and eligible to participate in tournaments. The Bronze membership is an annual membership. It can always be upgraded to silver or gold, however most of the activities and tournaments we do only require a bronze.
What do I need to bring to the pool for practice?
Lots of kids bring a backpack to hold their towel and/or change of clothes and water bottle. The Rosen Aquatic Center is indoors - so suncreen is not needed for normal practice.
For the Parents:
The first time you visit the Rosen, you will need to create an account with the Rosen front desk. They require everyone to sign in at the front desk - even if you are just coming in for practice.
Also: The Rosen has gym memberships available that will let the non-polo player use the facilities - the gym, track, other pools. It is NOT required to join a Rosen Membership to enter, but you will still have to sign in. More than a few parents DO join and use the opportunity to work out (or participate in Zumba classes, etc) while polo practice is happening
Practice is roughly 2 hours long. You are welcome to stay. Tthe Rosen has free Wi-Fi and plenty of bleacher seating.
How long before game time do I need to be at the pool?
Practice times are posted. We recommend getting to the Rosen 10 - 15 minutes before practice starts. This way you can find a place to set your bag down and change clothes. The players will typically start with "dry land" (stretches/ball toss) warmup before getting in the water.
What happens if there is inclement weather?
The Rosen is covered. Generally, we continue practice rain or shine. However, if there is lightening in the area, then the pool is cleared.
Tournaments? What about those?
What is a Water Polo Tournament?
It is an USAWP officially sanctioned competition event. A tournament is typically hosted by a Water Polo Clubwith other Water Polo Clubs pay an admission fee to attend. The various age groups (Teams) are then pairs off and play multiple games over a long weekend. The results are tallied, medals / trophies are handed out at the end. They are a LOT of fun.
What Do I Need to Bring to a Tournament?
You will need a backpack or water polo bag with the following contents:
- Official Team Uniform Swim Suit
- Sunscreen (Most of the tournaments we attend are at outdoor pools.)
- Towel
- Shoes / Clothes
- Special Snacks (generally Water / Sports drinks are volunteer supplied)
Be sure your USAWP Membership is Active and has a current picture attached to your profile!
The Parent Chat will organize volunteers to bring water / ice / snacks to help take care of the players.
What do I need to do before game day?
- Update Your USAWP Profile Photo
- Upload a photo to the USA Water Polo site so coaches can use it for game day checks.
- Grooming: Cut your nails (athletes are not allowed to play if their nails are too long)
- Hydration: Make sure to drink plenty of water or water/Gatorade leading up to game day.
- Labeling Gear: Use a Sharpie marker to put your child's initials on the inside of all gear, including t-shirts, to prevent loss on deck.
- Volunteer Sign-up: Check the Parent Chat for the tournament and volunteer to help with various tasks, such as bringing snacks, drinks, or other needs. Tasks will vary depending on whether it's a home or away game.
- Rest: Ensure your child gets a good night's sleep to perform their best on game day!
How long before game time do I need to be at the pool?
Please plan to arrive 45-60 minutes prior to your game time and be ready to jump in the pool 30 minutes ahead of game time. This allows for all players to warm up before the game starts. The Coaches will spread the word.
What happens if there is inclement weather?
Games will not be canceled due to rain unless there is lighting in the area. In the event, all Coaches will communicate to tournament players and parents as appropriate. Parents, if it is raining, please make sure that your player has an extra towel for when the first is wet. Games will be either post-poned or re-scheduled.
Can parents bring chairs, umbrellas, or other items to the pool deck?
For most tournaments, there is plenty of room for parents to bring their own chairs or stadium seats.
Why is there an extra fee for a Tournament?
A tournament has additional fees - used to pay the entrance fee, referees, pool time, etc. these are expenses above and beyond your Team Membership. The fees will vary tournament to tournament.