May 25, 2016
The winner of the S & R Sport Club of the Month for May 2016 is the Royal 559 Water Polo Academy of California. For winning, Royal 559 will receive a gift from S & R Sport. To nominate a club you think is worthwhile please email media@usawaterpolo.org. Here is a nomination submitted by a club parent.

The Royal 559 Water Polo Academy is the first of its kind in Fresno County, a region of almost 1 million people. There have been other water polo clubs that have provided seasonal opportunities for competition outside of high school, but Royal 559 is the first true year-round club that is focused on teaching the fundamental skills, tactics, and culture of water polo to boys and girls in the 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U age-groups.

Although they only started in winter 2015, the last I heard they were at over 200 members and growing, mostly from the Clovis/Fresno area, but some from as far as Bakersfield and Stockton. In April they hosted the Cal Cup State Finals for the 16U and 18U boys, and this month they helped host the USA Women’s Senior National Team during their visit to Fresno State for an exhibition game versus Australia. They also helped host a very successful Women's Senior Team clinic at Clovis West HS the night prior to the USA/AUS game. We are very excited to have this level of water polo in our own backyard for all to see and strive for, and we appreciate the opportunities that Royal 559 provides for our children to excel at the great sport of water polo! For these reasons, I am nominating the Royal 559 Water Polo Academy for the S&R Sport Club of the Month award.