14 & Under Championships - Houston Texas

Our 14 boys: Steven, Nik, Joey, Andre, Derek, Skyler, Noah were join with two players from Utah: Tyler and Mitch.  This competition was a great learning experience for the boys, they saw what a national championship is all about. They were shaking in their boots before the tournaments and the shaking continue during all the games.  Again the boys took away a great learning experience, they had fun too.

One observation I made was: we cannot go to a National Championship so green, so inexperienced but need to get more games under our belt.  I know they boys knew what to do in the games but just never put an entire game together, I know the boys hear what we were telling them to do in the water but just could not do it because they have not felt this kind of pressure before.  So taking all this into consideration I am going to run our own Nevada/Cal Cup.  NCC means taking a team to Southern California setting up 2-3 games for a one day trip... this is much like the Cal Cup but it will be on our own time schedule and won't cost us the entry fee.  I would like each team: 10's , 12's girls with a few boys, 14 boys with a few girls, 16 & Over going to California at least once every 2 months, maybe more depending on the time of year.

PARENTS: We need our players to compete in tournaments, scrimmages before we enter in the National Championships: Junior Olympics, 14 & Under Championships or we are setting ourselves up to fail.  I understand the money issues and if you have any problems we can and will find a way to make sure every child gets to compete at all levels, my door is always open.  Another way of saving money to afford all competitions is to have only the player travel and not the entire family.  We will be needing at least one parent helping out with driving the players along with the coach.  So the cost of NCC will include: splitting the cost of gas, 2 meals, few bucks for water and a bag of snacks for the drive out.

Getting back to the 14 & Under Championships - the boys had dinner with the girls team from Danville (Maureen one of my former players coached this team) both girls and boys had a great time.  This picture was taken at Olive Garden.  We have a new shot called the Big D shot, ask Derek to show you how it is done.  Andre was on the USA Water Polo Website.  Nik did a great job as our Team Captain. 

I was told next year USWP wants to add a 12 & Under Championship - Go Girls!!!

Please reply to me via email or in person if you are going to have problems attending the NCC's.
tweetwo@cox.net