Who is eligible to play water polo for Atlanta Rainbow Trout? |
The club runs a year-round masters program that has an age range of around 25 years (23-48) and that is open to anyone over 18. Our average age is about 35. Whether you are a good swimmer who is interested in learning a new sport or someone who has played for years, we’d love to have you join us! |
|
What if I’ve never played water polo before? |
Many of our members had not played polo before. Polo is a team sport that is similar to soccer and ice hockey. If you are a strong enough swimmer, can tread water and throw a ball, we can teach you the sport! We have a paid coach at each practice who with other team leaders will work with you individually and in groups to develop your skills and understanding of the game. |
|
I've never played water polo, how good do you have to be? |
Our club has a good mixture of players of differing degrees of water polo skill. We're also committed to developing the future of our club, and welcome people of varied water polo skill levels. Water Polo is a physically demanding sport that requires a lot of endurance. You must be a strong enough swimmer and be able to tread water, but we will teach you how to play the game! Most of our members never played before joining the team.
|
|
How competitive is the team and who do you play? |
The ART Water Polo club is a masters level organization that competes in the Southeastern Zone of USA Water Polo. The Southeast Zone is comprised of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
We are one of only two masters water polo teams in Georgia and as such we compete most frequently with teams that are members of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). We travel to tournaments at college campuses in Athens (UGA), Knoxville (UT), Chapel Hill (UNC), and Auburn and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (UA). We play against and occasionally practice with the other local teams; Dynamo, Georgia Tech and Emory.
We are also a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics organization and participate in IGLA and Gay Games competitions nationally and internationally. We have fielded teams in competitions held in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto, Paris and Washington DC.
|
|
|
No, there are no formal tryouts. We welcome all new water polo players regardless of their level of water polo skill who have strong enough swimming skills! Water polo is a strenuous endurance sport that requires a certain level of physical stamina and reasonably good health to play.
However, to maintain the competitive level of the team and/or for your safety, if we believe your health or swimming ability is not be at an adequate level, we will notify you that you will not be able to continue to play water polo and may suggest that you join the swimming division of our club until your skill level reaches an acceptable threshold. We solely reserve the right to determine who we allow to participate.
|
|
|
No, however women have been part of our team and are welcome to join! |
| |
|
Practices are held year round on Friday evenings from 7:30-9:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00am–12:30 pm at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) diving well pool. Tuesday practices are from 8:00-9:30 pm during GA Tech’s school year and 7:30-9:00 pm during summer months. |
| |
How are the practices structured? |
Practices usually consist of about 30 minutes of warm-up and conditioning, then drills and instruction, and finally a scrimmage. We have a regular coach who will be directing practices from the pool deck. Please arrive on time ... because water polo is a team sport, late arrivals disrupt the flow of the practice. |
| |
What happens if I miss a practice? |
As with any sport, the more practices you attend, the more likely you are to improve. Thus, if you miss a practice you may be missing out on a key concept or experience. Most people are involved in a number of activities and will occasionally need to miss practice. If someone is frequently absent, he or she may receive diminished playing time in tournament games since priority is given to those members who have shown the greatest dedication and skill. |
|
What kind of equipment do I need? |
The bare minimum necessary for all water polo players to participate is a suit. Goggles are recommended for swimming warm-up, but not required. ART provides balls and water polo caps for all practices and games. |
|
What fees are associated with ART water polo? |
See the membership page for current fees. There are four separate fees associated with joining the team. The ART membership fee is an annual fee for the calendar year. Additionally, there are quarterly dues. The combination of these fees pays for pool rental, coaches, equipment, and overhead expenses related to maintaining the team. There are no additional ART membership or team dues for ART members who pay swimming dues!
Water polo players are also required to maintain membership with USA Water Polo. USA Water Polo membership is an annual membership. Additionally, all ART members must obtain a Georgia Tech Buzz Card. The buzz card is a picture ID that is required in order to enter the Campus Recreation Center. This is a one time fee.
|
|
|
Dues are calculated to cover pool rental, payment for coaches, and equipment expenses. Dues also cover other team related overhead expenses such as maintaining a website, PO Box, accountant fees, marketing and membership in organizations like International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics. They are constant from quarter to quarter. In January, the team offers annual dues at a discount over quarterly payments. |
|
Why do I need to be a member of USA Water Polo? |
USA Water Polo insures all sanctioned practices, leagues, and tournaments in which the club participates. The club is registered with USA Water Polo, as are all ART water polo coaches. Membership in USA Water Polo provides you with some medical insurance coverage. For a participating athlete to be covered during play and to be eligible for competitions, he or she must be a current USA Water Polo member. A USA Water Polo membership also keeps you updated on all the recent water polo news around the globe.
|
|
I still have some questions, can I email someone? |
|
|
