International Water Polo Club Makes Splash in Visalia

On September 09, 2023, international water polo company, 6-8 Sports, made an appearance at El Diamante High School for a middle school water polo clinic held by Visalia Unified. This clinic is part of an 8-week program hosted by VUSD coaches, 3-time Olympian; Maggie Steffens; 5-time Olympian, Tony Azevedo; and renowned water polo coach, Ricco Azevedo. 6-8 Sports’ new youth academy focuses on the fundamentals for incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders; precisely the reason for it being offered to middle schoolers looking to join the sport.

Funded by Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, this is the first year VUSD has offered water polo to this age group, with a commitment by the district’s board to ensure that each and every student is connected to an extracurricular activity. The six-week program was offered free to all middle schoolers interested in participating.

VUSD Coach, and South Valley Aquatics director, Michael Yenigues added that, “as a coach, as an educator, I want them to learn perseverance, tenacity, family, belonging, discipline, all those things […] so that when they get to high school there’s competition and no acrimony.” The 85 students participating in this academy are from all VUSD middle schools. These students will be placed on teams and will compete every weekend for the next six weeks at multiple high schools across Visalia.

 

Saturday’s clinic began at 9am with a boys clinic and skill challenge and was followed by a girls clinic and skills challenge at 12pm. Rico Azevedo added, “We have the highest graduation rate of any other sport, and it’s because these are smart kids.” 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ranks water polo as having the second highest graduation rate amongst all other NCAA sports, at 92%.

 

“I am incredibly proud of the work that Mr. Yenigues has put into making this program not only available for our middle school students, but the work he has done to create teamwork, to include our high school students as mentors to these students who are new to the sport, and for creating an environment where students will thrive and succeed, said Superintendent Kirk Shrum.” 

Students’ scores will be tracked on the 6-8 phone app, which will allow them to see their progression throughout the six-week program. Scores will be available after the program to provide students with data for any future high school or college coaches who will help them further develop in the sport.

Watch event video by Clicking HERE