Making a splash

Grant Park

Tuxedo

The Manitoba Water Polo Association is encouraging youngsters across the province to dip their toes in the water and try the sport for what might be the first time.

The association is preparing to hold an introductory water polo program at Elmwood Kildonans Pool (909 Concordia Ave.), which will consist of a series of Monday sessions on Feb. 23, March 2, 9 and 16 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.

The program is aimed at young people in grades 5 to 12 who’d like to play water polo. All skill levels are welcome, and no previous water polo experience is required.

The only requirement is that participants, who will be divided by skill level, must be able to swim safely in the pool’s deep end.

Describing water polo as a “young sport” in Winnipeg, David Paz, MWPA president, said its profile is steadily growing here owing to factors such as increasing media coverage and a higher concentration of live broadcasts and streams of the sport.

“We’re seeing more growth happening, more exposure coming to this country,” Paz said. He noted that nations such Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Greece are among the world’s most dominant water polo countries.

Paz said there are currently more than 120 registered youth players in the province – including his son – and the MWPA hopes the upcoming program will help extend its reach beyond its traditional connection with the Pan Am Pool in the southwest of the city.

“We want to expand into other communities, in a similar way that Folklorama might. We want to expose these communities to the sport and bring more attention to it,” Paz said, noting that the Elmwood area has a large community of new Canadians who may be interested.

Paz said all are welcome to register to take part in the new program and said there will be fully trained staff and lifeguards present. The association also runs adult programs, including recreational leagues, and safe, affirming programming for the city’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.

“We’re welcoming everybody. We have such a strong board, and right now, we’re seeing the benefits coming from it. We want to make sure there are avenues for people out there, and I believe this is a good place for communities to come together and make something beautiful,’ he said.

James Hurton, 13, is a member of Vortex Water Polo, and loves challenging himself, and others, in the pool. He enjoys the fast pace of the sport and the end-to-end nature of the action.

“I’m a pretty strong swimmer, and being a baseball player has helped me in the arm department,” said Hurton, who lives in Tuxedo and is a Grade 8 student at St. John Brebeuf School.

Hurton said the sport is physically demanding, so you build a lot of strength and endurance, and you also learn to be a strong team player. He also likes the fact you can shoot the ball from many parts of the pool.

The teen encourages youngsters who haven’t tried water polo to give it a shot.

“Just try it,” he said. “You might just love it. It’s a very welcoming sport. Some of my best friends play water polo, and this goes hand-in-hand with working hard as a team.”

Hurton hopes to continue playing the sport when he eventually graduates high school and land a full scholarship to play at the NCAA level in the U.S.

“I’d love to represent Canada at the Olympics one day,” he said.

Historically, water polo is one of the oldest sports to feature at the Olympics, having made its debut at the second Summer Games in Paris in 1900.

Visit www.manitobawaterpolo.com for more information, or to register for the program.