The exact origins of water polo are unknown to historians; however, it is known that the game began sometime in the 19th century as an aquatic alternative to rugby played in the rivers and lakes of England. Since then, water polo has grown into a vastly popular sport amongst college and high-school students. If you are interested in starting your own official water polo team at the high-school level, there are a number of steps you must perform to make your team legitimate.
Step 1
Gather enough players to form an official water polo team. An official water polo team requires at least seven players. A team can consist of more than seven players for substitutions, but seven is the bare minimum.
Step 2
Locate a local pool that is willing and able to provide a place for you to practice and hold games.
Step 3
Draft a proposal including the signature of your entire team to present to the athletic director of your school. You will need to convince the athletic director and the board that starting a water polo team is a good idea and that it will benefit not only the students playing but the student body in general.
Step 4
Fill out an application to register your team to the USA Water Polo Association. If your proposal is accepted by your high school's athletic department, you will need to purchase insurance for your team, which can be done through the USA Water Polo Association. Depending on the athletic department's budget, you may have to raise the money on your own through bake sales and other fund raisers.
Step 5
Purchase water polo equipment, including head gear, suits, balls and goals if your school can't afford to do so.
Step 6
Set up a practice schedule, obtain a coach and begin to train your team.
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