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Water Polo today’s hot new Sport
Fast…Physical…Exciting
Early beginnings
Water polo first originated in England during the 1870’s.
Legend has it the sport was developed by spirited young men who
wanted to play rugby and cool off at the same time. Goalies were
known to block opponents by holding their heads underwater until
they were unconscious. Other early forms of play saw players riding
on floating "horses’ made of wooden barrels.
First Olympic team sport
Men’s water polo was the first team sport entered
into Olympic competition. Those were the Games of 1900. After a
long wait--100 years to be exact--women’s water polo made
it’s Olympic debut in Sydney, Australia in 2000. It is the
only team sport played in the water.
Today’s hot new sport
Although water polo originated more than 100 years ago and
historically has been long dominated by eastern European countries
it is a hot, new sport in both Canada and the U.S. Players and
spectators love the fast paced action and physical nature of the
game. Whether it is the motion and jockeying for position, the
wicked shooting or the rugged defense, water polo intrigues fans
and even the uninitiated find it exciting.
Best conditioned athletes in
the world
A game of extreme physical contact, it has been called "
the most physically demanding and mentally challenging of all
sports" by leading exercise physiologists. Not only are water polo
players considered to be among the best conditioned athletes in the
world covering up to 5 kilometers in an hour and 15 minute game but
they are continuously stopping and starting motion, thinking about
where the ball is and where it is going and working together in
sync with 6 other team mates.
Canada is recognized as a water
polo powerhouse
Canada is fast becoming recognized as a water polo power
house. The caliber of our teams is increasing dramatically and now
poses a serious challenge to the eastern European stronghold of the
past. National Teams from Youth to Senior levels consistently medal
in international competition, World Championships, World Aquatic
Championships and the Pan Am Games.
Hooked from the start
It seems all water polo players, tell a similar story, one
of being hooked from the very start. Maybe it’s the unique
blend of swimming, basketball, soccer, hockey and wrestling.
Certainly it is this similarity to many sports that attracts a wide
variety of athletes, from synchronized swimmers to soccer,
basketball, football and rugby players. Beginning as early as 8
years old and playing well into their 30’s and 40’s, it
has been said that water polo is a game that takes a few moments to
learn and a lifetime to perfect.
Perhaps it is that mastery that keeps players and spectators
hooked.
- Cheryl Wilson-Stewart
Water Polo Schedule
Fall 2008
P1 Provincial Gold Winners
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