PRACTICE INFORMATION – MARCH, APRIL, MAY
HIGH SCHOOL AGE PLAYERS
Starting MARCH 6th and going Monday and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30pm
This is to prepare players for Junior Olympics. Qualifying for Junior Olympics will take place in mid-June. Those players who are interested in making the Junior Olympic team for MSWP need to try and make these practices. If players would like to wait until the end of high school swimming the first week in May, that is fine.
PRE-HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
Those with Michelle will continue to practice Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 6:30pm. There are NO changes in their practice times.
TOURNAMENTS
There are tournaments scheduled for March and April in Sacramento area – to be eligible to play in these and any tournaments, players MUST have registered with USAWP. If you have not done so, our club number is 0176. If you want to try and be on the Junior Olympic squad, you must be a gold level and registered by June 1st and be AGE VERIFIED. Those of you who have played in JO’s before you do not have to be age verified again. The information for the pre-high school group playing in tournaments is the same. All who need to registered need to go to USAWP.org and either renew or register at that site.
UNIFORMING
Team uniform: suits, sweatshirts, etc. information can be found on the team website. Although not required, it looks great when all are wearing the same suits, etc. Apparel link on website: https://rytesport.com/collections/modesto-stanislaus-water-polo
TEAM DUES
Team dues will be going UP at the end of APRIL to $400. You are strongly encouraged to sign up currently, even if you are not beginning until the end of school. The cost is $350 currently. You can mail your dues to 2352 Roseborough Ct. Turlock, CA 95382. Check can be made to MSWP, Inc. There will be TWO larger meets at Johansen, March 15th and April 1st. I will be in the pool office if you’d like to drop off your dues to me at that time.
REGISTRATION
This applies to those who played last year and are intending to do so again. PLEASE RE-REGISTER at this time so we (at least) have an idea of who is planning on participating this year.
IF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. I know most would like to have a schedule, other than JO quals and actual JO’s that has been sent out a couple of times, the new one will be the first weekend in JUNE in Sanger area and will involve all age groups and genders. If you are going to do the two a week workouts in April, May and second week in May we will be entering single day tournaments in Sacramento.
ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE
NOW is the time to get new, younger kids to give water polo a try. Any new player can try THREE practices at no charge. With the addition of Michelle, we are able to take on younger participants. We really need to take advantage of this while we have the opportunity. So, encourage others to give it a try.
PRACTICE TIMES FOR SUMMER
In preparation for summer practices that will begin MAY 30th – – – barring any changes – – – BOYS high school age (and pre that have a grasp of the game) at DOWNEY from 7 to 9 – if the numbers are too large we also have the pool from 9 to 11 – – – GIRLS high school (and pre that have grasp of the game) at JOHANSEN from 7 to 9 – – At this time all beginners will be at Johansen from 7 to 9 AM
14, 12 UNDER POSSIBLE COMBINING
The past few years we have had difficulty getting enough 12s and 14s to go to JO’s. The rosters have been small with players getting little rest. This year we are entertaining the idea of combining with Central Valley United as they are experiencing the same issues. If we combine, we should have enough interest/players to have a large enough team. In conversation with their director, they would like to have the girls from MSWP attend one practice a week in Turlock, while they would do the same coming to Modesto. They would register with our club, and also pay our club dues. More on this as we get closer.
Brent Bohlender