USA Water Polo, Florida High School Athletic Associations Join to Grow Sport
USA Water Polo and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) on Tuesday entered into a partnership to grow high school water polo in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s small but passionate community has voiced support for the measure with both governing bodies.
Florida is already one of the handful of states with a significant club water polo footprint. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh Johnson is the best example, having grown up in Miami playing for Ransom Everglades. Gladiators WP and Orlando Thunder recorded podium finishes at the most recent Junior Olympics.
Tuesday’s agreement expands the sports growth into the high school realm. The FHSAA has sponsored state championships in water polo for both boys and girls since 2005. The sport is a spring sport in Florida.
“The state of Florida is the perfect place for water polo to grow,” USA Water Polo CEO Jamie Davis said in a press release. “365 days of pool weather, outstanding aquatic facilities and a stellar group of existing high school programs are the ideal pillars to build upon. We are thrilled to collaborate with the FHSAA and the Florida water polo community to help bring water polo to more high schools throughout the state, increasing exposure to our great game. We know once these new schools try water polo, they’ll be hooked on an extremely fun sport that is built on teamwork and camaraderie while also fostering strong swimming skills and water safety.”
“The FHSAA is proud to partner with USA Water Polo to strengthen and grow the sport across Florida,” FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said. “This collaboration represents our shared commitment to creating new opportunities for student-athletes while supporting the growth of a sport that fosters teamwork, discipline, and excellence across our great state.”
USA Water Polo has sought the expansion of water polo outside of the traditional hotbed of California. A pilot program with Texas’s University Interscholastic League is one recent example, though that was built on even less of an existing infrastructure than what Florida has in place.
“Without high school water polo, I never would have accomplished some of my biggest dreams,” Johnson said. “The foundation for winning two Olympic Gold Medals with Team USA and playing for Princeton University was built because of my high school water polo experience at Ransom Everglades. I’m thrilled to see the FHSAA and USA Water Polo working together not just to save high school water polo in Florida but to make it grow!”
