This is the official site of Oregon High School Water Polo Committee.  We are committed to providing information and resources to those involved in high school water polo from players to coaches; officials to fans.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Oregon High School Alumnus compete at 2012 London Olympics

2012 GOLD Medalist
Elsie Windes	Lisa Gibson
POSITION: Defender HEIGHT: 5’10” HIGH SCHOOL: Beaverton 2003 EDUCATION: UC Berkeley 2007 CLUB: Tualatin Hills WPC BIRTHDAY: June 17, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Portland, OR. RESIDENCE: Huntington Beach, CA.	POSITION: Centre forward HEIGHT: 5’10” HIGH SCHOOL:  Southridge, 2007 EDUCATION: University of Manchester 2011 CLUB: Tualatin Hills WPC / City of Manchester BIRTHDAY: Aug 12 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Chichester, UK RESIDENCE: City of Manchester, UK
TEAM USA:  Stellar defender who won a Silver Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games...One of only two players to hail from outside the state of California. Beaverton High School:  was a three-time all-league selection, a two-time Metro League MVP and the 2003 Oregon State MVP...Helped her team to the 2003 Oregon state title.	Great Britain’s National Team: Has been an integral scorer for Great Britain.  This is Great Britain’s Women’s Team first appearance in the Olympics for this sport. Southridge High School:  was a two-time all-league selection, and Metro League MVP…Helped her team to a second place finish in 2006.
POST OLYMPIC NEWS:  Elsie returned to Oregon this fall to get married, and resides in Huntington Beach, CA.	POST OLYMPIC NEWS:  Lisa returned to Oregon this fall to attend OHSU, with plans to coach water polo.

About the Sport of Water Polo

Water Polo has been played as a sport since the late 1800's, and was described as "a football game in water", and required brute strength.  As the rules changed to make the game faster, brute strength was replaced by more technique, speed and tactical moves.  The game changed from a rugby style to a soccer style of play.

Water polo was the first Olympic Team Sport.  Men's Water Polo was the first team sport entered into Olympic competition in 1900, in Paris, France.  After a long wait... 100 years to be exact... women's water polo joined the Olympic family in Sydney, Australia in the year 2000.

Water polo is a grueling game and one of extreme physical contact.  It has been called "the most physically demanding and mentally challenging of all sports" by leading exercise physiologists.  The sport combines swimming speed, ball handling skills and team play into a game that is played in an all deep pool.  Games last about an hour and during a weekend tournament, teams can play 4 to 5 games.

1. Teams are made up of 13 or more players - 7 in the water at one time, including 1 goalie and 6 field players.
2. Play starts with a sprint by both teams to the ball, dropped at the halfway mark by the referee.
3. After a goal, play starts in the middle of the pool.  Teams can use this time to substitute players.
4. When a referee whistles to indicate an infraction - players must pass the ball to a teammate before shooting on goal, with the exception of a direct shot on goal from outside the 5 meter line or a penalty shot.
5. Players can advance the ball by swimming or passing.
6. One (1) hand on the ball, except goalies who may use 2 hands with their 5 meter line.
7. No standing on the bottom, except goalies with their 5 meter line.
8. No dunking the ball.
9. Players may only be 'dunked' if they are in possession of the ball.  there may be contact away from the ball, but it will be up to the referee to decide if there will be any consequence.

Understanding the Game of Water Polo handout

Freedom’s Fury Video

Narrated by Mark Spitz this film tells the true story of the brutal clash between Hungary and USSR in the water polo pool at the 1956 Olympics.  As the Soviet tanks were suppressing the peoples' uprising in Hungary, the Water Polo team decided to give the population something to cheer about by beating the Soviets in the water polo pool.