Junior Olympics

Athletes and Parents-
This summer, Jungle Cat Water Polo is planning to enter a 16 & under team into the National Junior Olympics, the largest age group water polo tournament in the country. The tournament will take place July 25th-28th in Stanford, California.

JCWP is committed to the development of our players and we want to provide opportunities to play the best possible competition in the Midwest and across the country. Three out of the last four years, our club has taken an 18 & under team to Junior Olympics, with each trip being more successful than the last. Last summer was our best team and best finish ever, and we are looking to build on that success by bringing a 16 & under team this coming summer. The current field of eligible players is strong and the JCWP coaches believe we can be competitive this summer, while having a fun experience. Every player we’ve taken on a trip has had a wonderful time and they always say they want to go back the next year.

This summer, we will enter the 16 & under team into two tournaments, an age group tournament in Chicago and the National Junior Olympics in Stanford, CA. The Chicago clubs haven’t set their dates yet, but the tournament will likely be between July 4th and when we leave for California. Athletes on the JO’s team will be required to go to Chicago as well. We will also be leaving for California a week before the tournament begins (probably on Monday) in order to practice and scrimmage with California clubs. The purpose of travelling to Chicago and going out to California early is twofold. First, it allows the team to play together in a tournament setting, where they travel together and learn to play together, as we imagine many different schools will be represented on this team. Secondly, to be successful at Junior Olympics, the team needs to play competition that cannot be found in St. Louis. To avoid being surprised and having to adjust mid-tournament, the team will have a better understanding of the challenges they will face once the tournament begins.

Historically, JO trips have cost each athlete about $1,000. That amount included hotel, airfare, rental car and general team costs (tournament entry fee, team activities, tolls, etc.). With the extra time in California and the Chicago tournament, we imagine the total cost for this team to be about $1,800. Since the cost of the trip is usually the most prohibitive factor for athletes and their families, we would like to organize some sort of fundraising to help defray these costs. If you have an idea, please contact one of the JCWP coaches (info below).

Anyone who is birth year 1993 or later is welcome to try out for the team, regardless of school or club affiliation. All athletes wishing to try out must be registered with USA Water Polo. The tryouts will begin Monday June 8th from 7PM – 9PM at Chaminade, and will continue Tuesday-Thursday of that week. We recommend potential athletes attend each practice, as we want to be comfortable with what each athlete can and cannot do and will hesitate to select players we have only seen once or twice. Athletes will be chosen by the JCWP coaches based not only on water polo skills, but also on their ability to learn new concepts from the coaches and play with their teammates. Athletes who are selected will be required to attend 90% of the JCWP practices for the remainder of the summer (last practice is right before we leave for California) and must register with JCWP and pay JCWP dues. Athletes not selected may elect to continue playing for JCWP or register for another club. Once selected for the team, we will require a $500 non-refundable deposit from each athlete in order to purchase airfare to California.

If you, your son or one of your players is planning on trying out, please contact Tom Milford a tlmilford@gmail.com so we can get an idea of how large of a group will be in attendance. The coaching staff for the 16 & under team has not, as of yet, been selected, but one or more of the JCWP coaches will be on both trips. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
The JCWP Coaching Staff

Tom Milford
Charlie Cutelli
John Penilla
Paul Baudendistel