Mercerwood Water Polo Program

Program Philosophy

The focus of the Mercerwood Shore Club Water Polo Team is to ensure that every member feels a sense of accomplishment in both personal growth and team spirit. Water Polo is a fast action team sport with a reputation of competitiveness. Mercerwood embraces these attributes for their potential in creating a challenging and exciting experience for our youth. At the same time, the Water Polo team upholds the Mercerwood priorities - fun, improvement, good sportsmanship - above merely winning a game or being a top scorer. In Water Polo, as in Swim Team, Mercerwood maintains a reputation throughout the Midlakes League for providing positive reinforcement and encouragement for all of our members.

Team Formation and Coaching

Midlakes Team Divisions

Midlakes water polo teams are placed in two (or more, if necessary) separate divisions, as in swimming, because of the number of teams. Placement in Division I or Division II will be based on final placement last year's tournament. If any club has more than one team per age group, each will be placed in a different division.

Placement on Teams

Players will be placed on 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under and 17 & under teams according to their age as of June 15, as established by Midlakes. All teams are co-ed; but additionally, there is a Senior Girls (14 & under and 17 & under) team available if enough players sign up. The coaches and age group parent coordinator may divide the players into two teams. Teams will be established primarily according to ability, but age and attendance will also be considered, with the goal of maximizing playing time and success of both the individual player and the team. Team placement made by the coach is finalized after the first week of games, and not modified thereafter.

Split teams will be divided into 2 groups of unequal size, with the majority going (usually) to the Division I team. This permits more players in the age group to play in Division I and also allows the coach to move up strong players from the next level down.

Playing Time

The Mercerwood policy regarding play time for all games, except Tournament games, is a minimum of 25% playing time for all members each team. During Championship Tournament play, the goal is more toward winning, which coaches attempt to balance with playing time. Parents' respect of difficult coaching decisions is expected and appreciated.

Unsportsmanlike Behavior

Players are expected to show good sportsmanship toward all teammates, coaches, referees, and game observers. Players whose behavior is deemed unsportsmanlike will receive less playing time, and may be withheld from future games. Similarly, parents whose behavior is inappropriate may be asked to leave the spectator area by the referee.