Aug 21, 2013
Water Polo Leagues:
History of FINA Water Polo World League
For many who know water polo, and other aquatic sports, you will probably recognize the name FINA. However, for those who are new to the sport, or just want to learn more, FINA stands for Fédération Internationale de Natation, its translation being International Swimming Federation. Founded in 1908 and based out of Laussane, Switzerland, FINA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and manages international competitions for aquatic teams. Within FINA there are five sports: swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, open water, and water polo.
The water polo league was added to FINA in 2002 starting with only a Men’s league due to the rise of popularity in water polo. A women’s league was added two years later in 2004. The United States’ women’s international team currently holds the most titles in the water polo league with seven gold medals and has nine medals in all.
FINA Water Polo League contains teams from all different countries. Countries that have both men and women teams are Russia, Greece, Australia, Italy, Hungary, and the United States. Annual tournaments are held throughout the world from the United States to countries in Europe or Asia. The first Men’s water polo FINA tournament was held in Paltras, Greece and the first Women’s water polo tournament was in Long Beach, California where the U.S. women have won gold.
The 15th annual FINA World Championships were held in Barcelona, Spain on July 19th to August 4th.
Water Polo News/Championships
With summer in full swing, U.S. water polo teams are back in action. With the FINA World Championships a few days away there is a lot of water polo news to stay up-to-date on.
The U.S. Men’s team began on July 22nd against Croatia while the Women’s team began on July 21st against Greece. Final round for water polo championships were on August 2nd for the Women’s and August 3rd for Men’s. The U.S. Women’s team looks to regain its championship title, as both men’s and women’s hopes to add to its medal count.
In 2011, FINA added a junior division for athletes 20 years and under and is played every odd year. Sixteen teams will be competing to win the Junior Men’s FINA World Championships. The junior men’s tournament were held on August 12-18 in Szombathely, Hungary. The Junior women’s tournament were held on August 19-25 in Volos, Greece.
Stay up-to-date on USA Water Polo news and their status in the tournament by checking usawaterpolo.org or check out the official site of the tournament at bcn2013.com.
Ironman Water Polo League
On a smaller, more local level, the Ironman Water Polo League is a league located in the Orange County, Southern California area. It was founded by Robert Lynn and Jason Lynch, both former water polo players, in January 2009 and continues to grow.
The league was created in memory of Klaus Barth who was a mentor to Lynn. Barth was an Olympic swimmer, Ironman tri-athlete and, also, a coach for Long Beach Wilson swim team. Although an Ironman race is very different from water polo, Lynn and Lynch wanted the water polo league to be created in memory based on Barth’s “ideals of competition and good sportsmanship.”
The league contains fourteen clubs some of which are CDM Polo Club, Los Angeles Water Polo Club, Northwood Water Polo Club, Newport Water Polo, OCWP, United, South Bay United, Del Mar, and Rose Bowl. The teams were individually selected with goals that these teams based on their history and performance. With these carefully selected clubs, the league has been able to continue its existence and keep providing competitive water polo so those teams and athletes can continue to improve and grow.
