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 times when each season begins and ends.

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• Spring Season: February-April

• Summer Season: May-July/Early August

• Fall Season: August-November

• Winter Season: November-January

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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. For the younger players, we also have beginner Splashball Programs (6th Grade & Younger). Anyone can try out the club before they need to complete registration. If the player is not officially registered, a parent must remain at the pool at all times while their child is in the water.

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What if a player has never played water polo before and knows nothing about the game?

That’s why we’re here! Part of Southside Water Polo’s mission is to promote the sport of water polo. For the younger players, we also have beginner Splashball Programs (6th Grade & Younger) which introduces the basics and focuses on fun and development. 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.

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What are the “Age Groups” and when does a player move up?

For the Fall, Winter, and Spring Seasons (the school year), age groups are based on an athlete’s year in school (Example: 8th Grade & Younger). For the Summer Season, age groups are determined by their age (18U, 16U, 14U, 12U, 10U). An athlete’s age each summer is determined by their age on August 1st. For example an athlete who turns 17 on June 29th, their age for the entire summer season will be 17 and this athlete would be placed in the 18U age group.

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What kind of equipment do I need to start out?

Boys just need a speedo style suit or jammers while girls just need 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. If you are new to Southside Water Polo, there will be seasonal opportunities to purchase team suits, t-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, sweats, etc. Don’t forget to bring a towel!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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How much training is there?

Generally, 2 week night training sessions per age group are available each week. With your club seasonal dues, athletes are entitled to train at any and all of the practice locations, when more locations are available. The training schedule is on the website and should be checked often as occasionally, changes and cancellations occur.

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Can my child get physical education credit at his/her local school for participating in club water polo?

Each school district handles awarding credit for off campus PE in a different manor. It is recommended that each parent talk to their own school district in order to get the proper paperwork required. Coach Taylor Barnett, in charge of paperwork and compliance, will sign the necessary paperwork.

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Does Southside provide transportation to water polo events?

Athletes will travel with their families to all local competitions. On occasion, parents may decide to organize a carpool but this will not be organized by Southside Water Polo. Directions to each game/tournament will be provided via email the week prior to the event. For non-regional tournaments, information for travel will be sent out at least a month in advance. When a flight trip is arranged, group reservations may be blocked for athletes and family members at their own expense. Coaches will be traveling with the team at all times. Every effort is made on these travel trip to keep athletes safe and supervised.

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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 many events 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!

 

Is there a place where club photos are posted for each of the Southside related events?

Photos will be taken of athletes at many of the Southside Water polo events. Photos can be posted on the Southside Shutterfly page https://southsidewpc.shutterfly.com/

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The hope is to use Shutterfly to provide innovative tools, to make it simple and fun for everyone to upload, enhance, organize, print, share and get creative with Southside Water Polo photos. Southside Water Polo wants to share the passion of the sport, inspire more athletes to play, and deepen the connections between the sport, the athletes, and Southside. This will continue to build on the strong foundation of the Southside Water Polo Family.

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The Southside Shutterfly website is open to anyone that has the link to the page. Anyone with the link can download the images that are on the site. In addition, the site does allow those parents that take pictures at events to upload pictures as well. In order to upload photos, email Coach Taylor at tcb009@bucknell.edu for site membership.