West Chester University Women's Water Polo Club
Click here to edit subtitle
Where did water polo come from?
Water polo was founded in England during the 19th century, but was very far from the game we know today. It was brought to the United States in 1888 and strongly resembled football in the water. Violence was seen as the main point of the game at that point. Very soon after it took root in the US, Men’s water polo was added to the 1900 Olympics as the first Olympic team sport and has remained an Olympic sport ever since. Women’s water polo was added to the Olympics a hundred years later in 2000.
As years passed, many countries opted to adopt a more civil way of playing; the United States was the last country to accept these rules. The new rules were more similar to those of soccer in that defenders could only make contact to someone who had the ball. Swimming speed and passing above water also became more important.
Water polo was finally adopted as a championship sport in the collegiate men’s system in the early 1970s and women’s system thirty years later. It continues to have a strong European and Asian presence as well as a spread throughout the US (professional, college, and high school).
This image is of the 1908 Swedish Men's National team during the 1908 Olympic games in London, England.
2013 USA Men's FINA World Championship Team
2013 USA Women's FINA World Championship Team