MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Greenwich Aquatics is to develop young players’ water polo skills so that they may participate in college water polo at levels commensurate with their fully developed talents.

Greenwich Aquatics supports the notion of the scholar-athlete, individuals who excel in the classroom, in the swimming pool, in their communities, and in their families. Greenwich Aquatics seeks to enhance and develop sportsmanship in athletes. Not only does our program seek to be a winning program, but Greenwich Aquatics also wants to be respected for having class.

Greenwich Aquatics’ staff, coaches, and all members are expected to support the following priorities:

  1. Swimming – swimming is the fundamental skill of water polo. We believe that good swimmers make good water polo players and vice versa. We encourage water polo players to develop a passion for swimming fast. Swimming is a skill that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment.

  2. Scholastics – good academics provide the foundation of a good career. Good students have lots of choices in life. We believe that good students make better water polo players and aquatics sports provide discipline for many facets of a life well lived.

  3. Citizenship – character does matter to us. We believe that good character provides the model for good citizenship. Amateur sports teaches some lessons of life – how to win with class and lose with dignity, how to try your hardest and fail, but most of all how to try hard… and keep trying… and keep trying… and despite the odds… find room to improve and help others.

INTRODUCTION

The Greenwich Aquatics Water Polo Team is a year round program that operates under the auspices of USA Water Polo (the United States Olympic National Governing Body). We span in age from 5 thru post-college level.   We are committed to the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.  We strive to provide the athletes and families with opportunities to experience competitive water polo in a fun, supportive and exciting environment.  The YMCA offers highly experienced and accomplished coaching staff as well as a state-of-the-art facility featuring the Y’s 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic pool.  Many of our athletes have been selected for zone and National Team training squads.  Our elite athletes are highly sought-after recruits by collegiate coaches.

 PURPOSE

The purpose of our program is to teach the game of water polo through the USA National Team Training system to all level of players through year-round training that will increase the development and performance of the athletes.

USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TEAM TRAINING SYSTEM

The United States National Team Training system was developed by the USA Water Polo National Team and is designed for all ages and ability.  It is a systematic approach so players at the youngest age are learning the same things as the USA National teams.  It has a strong emphasis on fundamentals and along with the Olympic Development Programs athletes will train to be a part of the USA Water Polo talent pipeline to represent the United States in international competitions such as the Pan American Games, World Championships and the Olympic Games.  Each year athletes compete nationwide to be selected for male and female age group USA National Teams for ages: 18U, 16U and 14U.  Its primary objective is to help every water polo player, novice to post-college, develop to their fullest potential. 

 Key areas of the USA National Team System of Play:

 Physical

  • Swimming standards

  • Dryland – Plyo metrics (explosive)

  • Pilates Method (core strength)

Psychological

  • Execute under pressure

  • Fitness + Fundamentals = Confidence

  • Supportive

Technical

  • Fundamentals: legs, shooting, passing, defending, BPAC, etc.

Tactical

  • Game Team Strategy – Defense, Fast break, man up, front court offense, # system, etc.

PROGRAMS & SEASONS

Greenwich Aquatics runs year-round, beginning at the end August until July. Our travel team members are expected to be playing year-round. The athletic year is broken out into four seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.  The recreational and beginner player can pick-and-choose to play by season. We offer noodle and house league in the fall, winter, and spring seasons.