Our mission is to grow the sport of water polo in Southwest Florida and support Southwest Florida water polo teams, programs, players, and events.
The Giving Partner, together with Guidestar, reflects nonprofits in our community that have made a commitment to transparency by sharing in-depth information about their community impact, leadership and financial history.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County verifies much of the information provided; each nonprofit is required to
The Giving Partner, together with Guidestar, reflects nonprofits in our community that have made a commitment to transparency by sharing in-depth information about their community impact, leadership and financial history.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County verifies much of the information provided; each nonprofit is required to maintain an updated profile in order to be eligible for funding and other opportunities.
Beth Bailey
High School, Age Group, Collegiate, and USAWP ODP Coach. Current board president.
Jeff Bailey
USAWAP and FHSAA referee, USAWP liaison, Board Treasurer, former D1 Offensive Lineman.
Mike Bergquist
Dedicated to masters water polo as an athlete and coach. Referee in Chicago for many years before coming to us in Sarasota.
Richard Corso
O
Beth Bailey
High School, Age Group, Collegiate, and USAWP ODP Coach. Current board president.
Jeff Bailey
USAWAP and FHSAA referee, USAWP liaison, Board Treasurer, former D1 Offensive Lineman.
Mike Bergquist
Dedicated to masters water polo as an athlete and coach. Referee in Chicago for many years before coming to us in Sarasota.
Richard Corso
Over 4 decades Coaching-Team USA, Cal, Yale, UCLA, Canada, Harvard Westlake... USAWP Hall of Fame. Olympic Coach.
The Southwest Florida Water Polo Foundation, Inc. is an all-volunteer run 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to grow the sport of water polo in Southwest Florida. Our first success was working with the Sarasota County School Board and fully funding the first-ever high school water polo program in Southwest Florida at Venice High School. Venice High School is now in its third season, and a second Sarasota County School varsity water polo team is pending approval and will be announced soon!
We also offer community programming, classes at the North Port Aquatic Center, support area water polo clubs, and have assets for community use including goals, shot clocks, and a scoreboard.
Water polo is one of the fastest growing sport in the United States with tremendous opportunity athletic scholarships and gains in physical and mental fitness.
The Southwest Florida Water Polo Foundation has a goal of raising $30,000 in 2020. These funds go directly to water polo programs in Southwest Florida, training coaches and players, and providing scholarships for players in need.
It is my honor and privilege to serve as President of the Southwest Florida Water Polo Foundation. The programs we support provide access to a sport known for its incredible fitness and endurance levels, positive impacts on academic performance, and gains in mental toughness. Fun fact: water polo players have the lowest dropout rate among all US Navy SEAL candidates. Water Polo is also a lifelong sport with a strong masters network and a team sport experience that complements a swimming background.
Water polo games are packed with excitement and last about the length of a basketball game. With our perfect year-round swimming weather, what a better place to cultivate our future USA stars than right here in Southwest Florida? Our pools can be filled with swimmers and water polo players alike.
Please contact us if you are interested in playing, refereeing, or coaching, or to add water polo at your school or club program. Thank you for supporting us with a donation. Email us anytime at info@southwestwaterpolo.org.
See you at the pool!
Beth Bailey
Southwest Florida Water Polo Foundation, Inc.
Men’s water polo has been a team sport in the modern Olympics since 1900, and has 22 NCAA division-I teams and 17 division II and III teams. After a hard fight, women’s water polo was finally recognized as an Olympic sport in the 2000 summer Olympics and is growing fast with 32 Division I teams and 26 Division II and III teams recognized by the NCAA. The trend in water polo is counter to a larger nationwide crisis of physical inactivity, and ESPN and other studies have identified water polo is one of the toughest sports to play.
Water Polo is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and USA Water Polo is excited about the growth of water polo to Southwest Florida. “States beyond California are joining the water polo party,” Christopher Ramsey, CEO of USA Water Polo said. “It is no coincidence that our women’s Olympic team goalie, Ashleigh Johnson, grew up in Florida and played ball at Princeton” … “The success of these players from outside California is inspiring others around the nation”.
Click here and support the growth of water polo in Southwest Florida!
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