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Let the games begin!
Water Polo HistoryWater Polo began as a sport sometime in the 19th century in England, although the early versions of the activity bear little resemblance to the modern day version played today.
It is believed that British holiday resort owners invented this rather strange pastime during the mid-1800s, in an attempt to attract guests. The first games were played on nearby rivers and lakes, and the game's passing similarity to horseback polo gave it the name "water polo." -
Pass the pig stomach?
New Ball By 1869, a rubber ball had began to replace the original ball which was made from a pig's stomach. -
Here are the rules...
Who needs rules anyways? In 1870 the London Swimming Club formulated rules for the sport and hosted the first official game at the Crystal Palace Plunge in London. Games resembled rugby on the water, and were based more on brute strength than athletic skill. Underwater wrestling would leave some players barely conscious when they managed to get to the surface. -
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Modern rules created
Modern rules In 1880, rules were introduced in Scotland to shift the game's focus to skill over force. A bigger ball, similar to a soccer ball, was used, nets were introduced and players could no longer tackle opponents who did not have possession of the ball. The same rules still apply to today's game. -
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Goal post
Water Polo History The dimension of the goal post were fixed at ten feet (3.05m) wide and 3 feet (91cm) high, at the deep side of the pool, while at the shallow side of the pool the goal post should be five feet (1.52cm) high. -
First American Game
The game comes to AmericaThe game of water polo was first played in the United States in 1888. It featured the old rugby style of play which looked like American football in the water. "American style" water polo became very popular and by the late 1890's was played in such places as Madison Square Garden and Boston's Mechanics Hall, attracting 14,000 spectators to the big national championship games -
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German Water Polo
Water Polo History Germany was the first European country on the Continent to know the game -
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France and Belgium
Water Polo History France and Belgium are joining the water polo playing Nations. -
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Into the Olympics
First team sport Water polo's popularity was so great it was named the first Men's Olympic team sport in 1900. -
USA wins gold
United States Water Polo The New York Athletic Club won Gold in the 1904 Olympics as well as winning silver medals in 1984 and 1988 and bronze medals in 1924, 1932 and 1972. -
FINA adopts Scottish rules
FINA adopts 1911, the Federation International de Natation Amateur (FINA), the international governing body for all amateur water sports, adopted the Scottish rules for all international water polo events. -
United States hesitantly adopts Scottish rules
Rules adoptionUnited States continued to play by their own rules until 1912, when, instead of playing their semi-final game in the National Championship tournament, the New York Athletic Club and the Chicago Athletic Association chose to fight instead. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) cancelled its sponsorship of water polo until 1914 when United States clubs finally agreed to play under the more civilized international rules. -
Britian for the Gold
Olympic water polo history Great Britian has won gold in the first four water polo Olympic games. -
Water Polo Rules
Water Polo History International Water Polo Board ( IWPB ) is appointed by FINA in order to elaborate new rules. -
Rules and Fowls
Water Polo History Fouls were subdivided into well defined categories under the headings of ORDINARY FOULS, MAJOR FOULS AND PENAL TIES. Dimension of the field were set on thirty (30) meters of length to twenty (20) meters wide.The ball shouldweight between 400 and 450 grams.Until that time the ball use to be lighter 360 to 420 gr. -
Water polo at the collegiate level
United States water polo history Water polo within the United States was adopted as a championship sport for men in the collegiate system in the early 70's, while women were added about 30 years later as participation grew. Today, collegiate and high school teams can be found throughout the country. -
USA Water Polo Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame History USA Water Polo also maintains a Hall of Fame, honoring greats in the community, founded in 1976 and revamped in 2010, inductions are held annually -
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USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo History Originally governed by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) with assistance from the YMCA, the organization was formed following the passage of a federal law designating the US Olympic Committee as the coordinating body for all Olympic activity in the United States. -
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Women's water polo in the Olympics
Womens Water Polo Womens water polo is finally added into the Olympics, becoming the last team sport to be added. The Olympics are held in Sydney, Australia; where Australia won the gold medal, the United States took the silver, and the bronze went to Russia.
