GIRLS WATER POLO: TEAM EXPECTATIONS

Champions behave like champions before they are champions; they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners.

 - Bill Walsh

Water Polo is a non-cut sport, as long as a minimum level of proficiency for safe participation is attained within the first two weeks of joining the team. All members of the water polo program are required to display skill, dedication, and willingness to fully participate in all practice, games, and team events. In order to ensure a positive experience, all athletes must abide by our team expectations, as well as New Trier's Athletic Code and Academic Guidelines. Unity in expectations are essential to team sports.

We promote competition on all levels.  Ability, development, along with a team attitude will help to govern playing time for all levels. Be prepared to think of the team first.  Promise to learn the rules of the game, and do your best to hustle and play the game as it was meant to be played.  This will only make you a better athlete and us a better team.

Our expectation is that all athletes attend all practices and compete in all assigned competitions / games. All athletes are required to maintain their possible season attendance at 80% or better. Attendance can impact playing time, and athletes who fall below that level may be removed from the team.

Our goal is to accommodate anyone who wants to commit to the polo team, regardless of ability. However, we need to ensure that all members of the team can complete a practice safely. If coaches determine that an athlete does not possess the minimum skill required, that athlete may be cut from the team. Any questions about skill level can be directed to Coach Przekota before the start of the season.

Tryout Guidelines:

• Water Polo does not cut, all athletes are welcome to be a part of the team. 
• All Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are expected to be at the first day of practice.  No new athletes from those grades will be allowed to join after the 5th  day of practice (first Friday of the season).
• All Freshman are expected to be at the first day of practice, however new Freshman are allowed to join until the second Monday of the season (7th day of practice).
• Any athlete who is swimming for their Club Championship meets, will be allowed to do so as long as they attend the first day of practice and at least 2 practices every week. When attending practice, we are happy to work out a plan that accommodates swimming goals and getting ready to play water polo.  If athletes can not fully participate in practice they will observe. Once the Championship season is over, athletes will be expected to fully participate in all water polo activities.
• Rosters & practice groups (Levels of Play) will be set on the 6th day of practice (1st Saturday of the Season). Rosters will be fluid and can change throughout the season for a variety of reasons. Those changes will be communicated to the parties involved on a weekly basis.

Levels of play: The purpose of our three levels is to create opportunities for athletes of all experience and ability levels to play water polo, improve, and be successful

• Varsity: The Varsity team will consist of those players, regardless of their year in school, who will compete at the highest level within the NTGWP program. It will focus on advanced skill development, strategic gameplay, and teamwork with the goal of competing for conference, sectional and state championships. It also provides an opportunity for athletes to showcase their abilities for potential recruitment or advancement to collegiate-level water polo.
• JV Blue:  The JV Blue team will focus on helping athletes develop their skills and gain experience before moving to the varsity level. The goal is to help players improve their understanding of game strategies, refine techniques, and build teamwork  while preparing athletes for the intensity and demands of varsity play.
• JV Green:  The JV Green team will focus on the goals, skill development, and team dynamics of our water polo program. The team will consist of beginner or intermediate players, and highlight learning the fundamentals of water polo, improving fitness, teamwork, and preparing players for higher-level competition.

All levels will emphasize the positive values of sportsmanship and character.  We want New Trier Girls Water Polo to feature teamwork, dedication, loyalty, intensity and a love for the game.  It is our hope that these traits will follow the athlete throughout their life.