A Brief History of Water Polo
The earliest water sports started to form around the end of the 19th Century, and many of those sports were ball games taken from land activities, such as a football and polo. The earliest form of water polo was one of those. Water polo was originally played by players sitting astride on horses in the water, trying to push the ball to each end. However, in 1877, William Wilson, the President of Scotland's swimming club suggested a way to change the game to attract more audience to the annual swim galas. Goals were added, and the players have to physically swim. Eventually goalkeepers were added as well, along with teams of up to 9 people. It was a very physically demanding sport, and it still is, but the definite form of water polo, which is very similar to modern water polo, was established in 1888.
Visit the NZ Water Polo official site
Why I like it
I really like water polo because I enjoy swimming. Water polo is a very physically demanding sport, and players have to be good at passing, shooting, and swimming. I first joined becaues I thought that playing a sport that was similar to most land sports but in the water was a very interesting concept. It turned out to be really fun, which is another reason why I like it so much. Even though you have to train very hard in water polo, the games that you get to play and the teams that you get to meet are really worth it.
Where I play
I have been playing water polo for the past three years, and I have done most of my trainings at the pool at St Cuthbert's after it was just built. Now, because I play in the Senior league, I have extra trainings at Atlantis City Water Polo and Aquatics Club in Diocesan School. The trainings are rather hard, but they make me improve my skills a lot and help increase my stamina and speed in the water.
