A Closer Look: OMBAC (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club)
Official Name Of Club: OMBAC - Old Mission Beach Athletic Club
On The Web: http://www.ombacwaterpolo.com/
Director Of Club: Mina Desiderio
Club Coaches: Jamie Stewart & Lee Nicely
Age Groups & Genders: Ages 20 & Up - Female
How Did They Get Started?: OMBAC itself has been around for more than 60 years sponsoring a variety of sports on the men's side most famously rugby with one of the top clubs in the nation. OMBAC is one of the original philanthropic athletic clubs in San Diego and started the game Over The Line, a form of three person softball that draws thousands of participants each year. Four years ago a group of water polo playing women approached OMBAC to be their representatives in the water polo world and a new club was formed. Desiderio noted the idea came about after attending a New York Athletic Club event with 2010 USA Water Polo Kathy "Gubba" Sheehy and thinking how that might be replicated in San Diego. OMBAC's sponsoring of water polo is their first venture into women's sports in some 40 years.
Where Is Home Base?: OMBAC calls the Coronado Municipal pool their home but competes in pools all over California.
Where Do They Play?: OMBAC plays in a host of Masters events such as the Masters Festival in Las Vegas, the Desert Duel at Arizona State and in 2010 for the first time the club had an entry in the USA Water Polo Masters Nationals Championships.
The Finest: One of the big things each year OMBAC works on is helping to co-organize The Finest Masters Water Polo Tournament along with Sunset Water Polo.
Masters Blasters: 2010 was also the fourth straight year the club entered into the USA Water Polo Masters Nationals and OMBAC didn't disappoint taking home first place in the 20+, and second place in the 30+ and 40+ divisions.
Five Years From Now: Down the road the club hopes to create even more tournaments in the Masters scene. From there they'd like to branch off into a youth program as well as a men's division.
How To Get Involved?: OMBAC is always looking for new players that have water polo experience and are over the age of 20. Visit www.ombacwaterpolo.com for more information or to get signed up.