Water Polo
Swimming pools are not just for swimming!
Water polo as a team sport began as a demonstration of strength and swimming skills in late 19th century England and Scotland. Men’s water polo was among the first team sports introduced at the modern Olympic Games in 1900. The game originated as a form of rugby football played in rivers and lakes, the game allowed the players to wrestle and hold opposing players under water to recover the ball, the goalie stood outside the playing area and defended the goal by jumping in on any opponent attempting to score by placing the ball on the deck.
By the 1880s the game had evolved to a fast paced game with a soccer sized ball that emphasised swimming, passing and scoring by shooting into a goal net, players could only be tackled when holding the ball and could not be taken under water.
In 1890 the first international water polo game was played between Scotland and England, and the game continued to develop in Europe and the United States. An International Water polo committee was formed in 1929 and rules for International matches were put into effect in 1930.
The game has continued to develop over the years and the present day game involved teams of seven players, plus up to six substitutes.
Equipment:
To train and compete in water polo you will need to join a club, the equipment required is a swimming costume or swimming trunks (no shorts can be worn as they could get pulled off!). For men and boys it is also a good idea to wear a box, just in case a stray foot catches you where it hurts!
Club information:
There are four water polo clubs in Cornwall, Newquay, St Austell, Carn Brea and Penzance. All are linked to swimming clubs and all have adult and junior sections.
Newquay train at Waterworld on Wednesdays 9.00pm – 10.00pm (seniors) and Sundays 5.00pm – 6.00pm (juniors and ladies)
Carn Brea train at Carn Brea Leisure Centre on Saturdays 11:30am - 12:00noon (juniors only)
St Austell train at Polkyth leisure centre on Mondays 9.00pm – 10.00pm (seniors) and Saturday and Sunday mornings 9.00am – 10.00am (juniors)
Penzance train at the Penzance leisure centre on Sundays 6.00 – 7.30 (juniors) and Sundays 7.30 – 9.00 (seniors)
Competitions:
“Go for It” Water polo tournaments are held in the county as well as inter club junior development competitions. There is also a senior competition at RNAS Culdrose each year which attracts clubs from across the country. It is hoped that with the increase of juniors attending clubs it will be possible to establish a junior league in the county.
Quirky fact:
Water polo burns approximately 700 calories per hour for a person of average body weight.
Get Involved: Contact Steve Hillman - Swimming Development Officer - 01872 32 3349 or 07837 311539 email: shillman@cornwall.gov.uk