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When does the season start?
Club water polo is played all year round. There are programs in each of the four seasons for all age groups. Below are the approximate times when each season begins and ends.
Can a player join in at any time?
We welcome players of all levels, from novice to advanced. A player can join in any session at any time. We will prorate the registration fees accordingly. We offer a two-week free trial year-round and are happy to answer any questions you have about the sport along the way.
What if a player has never played water polo before and knows nothing about the game?
That’s why we’re here! Part of Thunder Water Polo’s mission is to promote the sport of water polo. For the newer player with basic swimming skills, the best way to learn the game is to just “jump in!” We have players of all levels. Coaches will help to get new players started, but water polo is one of those games that is best learned by playing! You just need a few basic skills which can be learned quickly. No experience is necessary to play. You must be able to swim 25 yards independently.
Communication
Download the Sports Engine App as this is the easiest and quickest way to get answers to your questions. Coaches and Admin monitor the chats and will jump in to answer questions if parents do not know the answers.
Do I need to sign up for USA Water Polo?
USA Water Polo is the national governing body for the sport of water polo. It is under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee. We require membership in USA Water Polo for all athletes for insurance purposes. In addition, a player cannot be rostered for a tournament unless your USA Water Polo membership is valid. www.USAWaterPolo.org
About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc. is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 different championship events annually, such as the National Junior Olympics, Men’s and Women’s National Championships, and Masters Open Championships. With more than 50,000 members, USAWP is also the sanctioning authority for more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport nationwide. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches and officials.
What are the “Age Groups” and when does a player move up?
Age Group athletes are athletes under the age of 14 as of August 1st of the upcoming year. Age Group athletes must also be in eighth grade or under. High School Athletes are those athletes 19 and under in 9th – 12th grade.
What can a player do to maximize his or her potential?
Make sure to attend as many practices and competitions as possible. A player will develop skills, as in all sports, by working hard, having good attendance, really listening to the coaches, and asking questions. We have the best coaching staff in Texas. They all know what they are talking about! The coach’s goal is to not just coach a player what to do but to also teach the player WHY they are doing skills, drills, team concepts, etc. If a player would like to take his or her game “up a notch,” one of the best things to do would be to join a swim team concurrently.
What kind of equipment do I need to start out?
Boys just need a speedo style suit or jammers while girls just need to use to bring a regular swim suit (swim caps are optional). Goggles are optional for the athletes (we are not a swim team). We will do short warm-ups at the beginning where goggles could be used. Goggles do need to come off once the balls are in the water polo. If you are new to Thunder Water Polo, there will be seasonal opportunities to purchase team suits, t-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, sweats, etc. Don’t forget to bring a towel!
What if my son isn’t comfortable wearing a Speedo (brief)?
That’s OK, he can start out wearing a jammer, but will eventually have to make the transition to a regular water polo suit. Don’t worry, it will happen!
What if I have to miss a practice or tournament?
You will get as much out of the club as you put in. The more an athlete plays the better the athletes will become. If you will be missing a practice, just let the coach know before or after. There is no need to contact a coach immediately with regard to missing a practice. We all understand that life intrudes on water polo sometimes and that homework and family occasionally prevent attendance at practice and competitions.
What happens if there is a schedule change?
Water polo is a very fluid sport. Schedules tend to come out late and change frequently. The club does it’s best to notify our members of any changes, but it is the player’s responsibility to monitor the website for any changes. The final responsibility lies with the player!
What happens if I only want to train and not enter tournaments yet?
Athletes are free to play as much as can. We encourage participation in as much as possible. Athletes will choose to play in weekend tournaments. All athletes will be listed on a roster for the League Game Days. Bear in mind though, that one of the best ways to learn the game is to play in it!