In the Brilliant Florida Sun, Let the Games Begin… Again!
Editor’s Note: This past February 18 - 20, teams flocked to the Coral Springs Aquatics Center in South Florida after a COVID-19 break last year. The South Florida International Water Polo Tournament—now in it’s 19th year—saw a return to form, with teams from all over the region participating in one of the country’s premier youth water polo events.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL. After a year when the South Florida International Water Polo was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last month the pools at the Coral Springs Aquatic Center were again teeming with age group polo players from all over the country.
A total of 24 clubs fielding 54 teams spread out over four age groups—2008 Coed, 2006 Boys, 2003 Boys and 2003 Girls—spent three days over the Presidents’ Day weekend playing a total of 137 matches.
There were the 14U girls from Socal, two teams from Saint Louis—including a joint squad with the Bahamas—one called New Utrecht from Chicago, two different teams from Brooklyn (Y Pro and the Brooklyn Hustle) and the Neptunes (not sure why that name) hailing from Denver.
Socal 14U girls taking in the spectacle. Photo: M. Randazzo
17 teams from Florida were at the center of play. Besides hosts South Florida Water Polo Club (4 teams), the Riptides (four teams) and Raiders (three) from Miami were there, as well as the Hialeah Storm (two teams), Central Florida Sun from the middle of the state sent two teams. East Coast Power house Greenwich checked in with three—two of which won titles (2003, 2006 Boys) and one of which placed second (2003 Girls).
Besides the Bahama Mantas—which sent two teams—the Caribbean was represented by a group of eight athletes from the Barbados national team. They partnered with the aforementioned Brooklyn Hustle squad, which sent three teams. Puerto Rico sent two teams, including a 19U boys team that will likely represent their country at the Junior Pan American Games this July in Indianapolis.
Perhaps most significant was that the atmosphere in Coral Spring was entirely relaxed. There were no indications of the pandemic that has killed more than one million people in this country and caused the postponement of a many athletic events Americans take for granted—and this tournament, which has been hosted annually by the South Florida Water Polo Club since 2003, with only one interruption: the one last year.
RESULTS (full schedule here):
2008 Mixed: South Florida WPC 13, NC Select 5
2006 Boys: Greenwich 14, Y Pro 8
2003 Girls: Riptides 10, Greenwich 6
2003 Boys: Greenwich 13, South Florida WPC 11
As part of my covering the 2022 tournament, I spoke with a variety of coaches about what the tournament meant to them—particularly after a COVID-19 took away so much from so many.
INTERVIEWS (please click on the links):
Michael Goldenberg, Head Coach, South Florida Water Polo Club
Laszlo “Lotty” Borbely, Head Coach, Bahamas National Team
Ted Bresnahan, former Johns Hopkins Men’s Water Polo Coach
Alex Donis, Head Coach, Hialeah Storm Water Polo team
Eric Gordon, Head Coach,
Ed Reynolds Jr., Director of Youth Girls & 10u Girls, Socal Water Polo
Petar Solomun, Ransom Everglades Assistant Boys and Girls Coach / Raider Water Polo
Ken Vincent, Assistant Coach, U.S. Naval Academy
Greg Walker, Vice President, Barbados National Team