Official Club Name: Stanford Water Polo Foundation (Stanford,
California)
Directors: John Tanner (girls) - John Vargas (boys)
On the Web:
www.stanfordwaterpolo.com (girls)
www.stanfordwaterpoloclub.com
(boys)
Age Groups and Genders: The club has male and female divisions all the
way up through college level. 11 and under is co-ed however
By the Numbers: The largest of any USA Water Polo Club with 160 boys and
130 girls
Main Pool: The Avery Aquatic Center - Stanford University
Club Coaches: The boys and girls each have about 12 coaches. While the
coaches may vary from season to season but some of the veteran coaches of the
programs are Kyle Utsumi (USA Women's Junior National Team Coach), Ted Minnis,
Travis Wyckoff, Susan Ortwein, John Tanner, John Vargas, Jon Barnea, Matt
Schubert, and Tim Kates.
It has been a noteworthy year for some Stanford coaches as Schubert was recently
named Pacific Zone Boys Development Coach of the Year and Ted Minnis earned the
same honor on the girls side. Ortwein was named Zone Women's Elite Coach of the
Year and Wyckoff was named Volunteer Coach of the Year. Wyckoff and Minnis were
also the National Volunteer Coach of the Year and Development Coach of the Year.
How They Got Started: The club is a little fuzzy on the start but it has
at least been in existence since the 1960s, aka, a while
Where Do They Practice: The uses a host of facilities including the Avery
Aquatic Center on the Stanford campus, arguably one of the nicest water polo
facilities in the country. In addition three or four local high schools offer
practice locations as well.
Anytime, Anyplace: The club attempts to compete in every National
Championships except those in the winter time. Speedo Cup starts the season off
and the qualification on each the boys and girls side has been a nearly annual
event for the last decade or so. They will be busy this summer as 12 of their
age group teams have qualified for the S & R Sport Junior Olympics. In addition
two men's teams and one women's team are headed for the 20 and Under National
Championships.
Sustained Growth: You don't get to be the largest club without some
serious growth and that is what Stanford has seen in recent years. Just 10 years
ago the club was co-ed through 14U now with so many more kids coming on board 14
and 12 have been split gender wise. They continue to try and attract the younger
athletes as it only makes them better prepared for high school polo if they
choose that route.
Play Ball: Like any water polo club getting athletes to turn down the
timeless classics like football and hoops for water polo can be a challenge.
Word of mouth has been the easiest way for the club to pull in members. Other
struggles they face include coach retention while club officials site sustained
excellence as the biggest hurdle. Last but not least the bane of any clubs
existence is pool time. While they do have great places to play, they have to
share with a host of other groups which can sometimes make things difficult.
Take Five: In five years the club hopes to be nationally prominent by
developing everyone from novice to elite players. Club Coach Susan Ortwein sums
it as so, "Although we will emphasize enjoyment of the sport, we expect a high
level of commitment and professionalism from all who are involved. Our
philosophy is to have complete integration of all players based on a solid
fundamental foundation from which players can move successfully to higher levels
in the sport.
Everyone will play the same system of water polo. It is our feeling that strict
safety and conduct guidelines, structured training, and team-oriented focus lead
to an environment where people learn and grow.
We have never measured our success on the number of championships we have won,
rather on the development of the players and to provide an atmosphere for them
to play a sport they enjoy at any level they choose. It is very rewarding for
the entire staff when an athlete makes the varsity team after playing JV, or
play at any level in college, and of course making the National team is a
bonus."
A True Veteran Of the Club: John Tanner, the director of the girls
program played for the club when he was growing up. In addition there are around
12-15 year round coaches that grew up and played for Stanford when they were
club players. If that isn't a ringing endorsement to your players, what is?
Why Stanford?: Besides all the great facilities and coaches the club
preaches fundamentals of the game so players can only get better as they
progress in their careers. They want players to have fun!