Splashball

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2023 Dare to Dream Festival

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Schedule/Results

For our Athletes & Families

Admissions

Parents/Spectators can pre-pay before they arrive at the facility or scan a QR Code/pay at the admissions desk on the Second Level. Parents/Spectators will receive a wristband depending on what they purchase. Dare to Dream – Texas Festival Admissions: $10 Day Pass, $15 Weekend Pass. Children 5 & Younger will not be charged admission.

Click here for the Admissions Link

USA Water Polo IDs

2023 AquaTex Dare to Dream IDs

Texas A&M Waivers

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dn-92fRn8TFQIdHEYx1d8RqoprdZIOlb/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ef7lZ8K_vpMAX8czrC-6Tn2psgnJfdj0/view

Tournament Expectations

We very gladly have a lot of new athletes attending this tournament. Welcome to all of you, and of course to all our experienced families as well. Here are a few things to cover for newcomers and oldsters alike:

  • Plan on being ready to meet together 30-40 minutes minimum before our first game of the day. Coach Babs will let you know via GroupMe.
  • Athletes, wear your team suit every game of the tournament, and your team t-shirt on Saturday at least. And, of course, we encourage our families to don the black, orange, and blue while attending.
  • Expect three games per day even if we only end up playing two. That means, be prepared: extra towel, goggles for warmup, eye drops, snacks, water, an extra suit is always a good idea. Be ready.
  • Food. Between games we encourage our athletes to eat lean protein, fruit, simple carbohydrates (not just candy!), water. After our last game of the day you can eat what you want… within reason.
  • AquaTex doesn’t organize team hotels or meals but definitely appreciates parents who take the lead in finding hotel blocks to share and/or organizing team meals. That is mostly done via our GroupMe so please do communicate amongst each other there.
  • We expect all our athletes to work hard, to be their best, when we compete. Winning and losing are important but not nearly as much as effort, being the best you can be, being there for your teammates, communicating, executing the skills you learned at practice. That’s what we as a club and your coaches expect.

Athlete Fees

Each athlete will pay for participating in this tournament payable directly to Coach James via Venmo. Fees are nearly always estimated to be approximately $95 per athlete per roster. The final fee will be calculated after the tournament and takes in to account tournament entry fees, coaches’ travel expenses, per diem, etc.

Working Rosters

AQTX 10uPlaying for Longhorn 12u
Ryan BensonClayton Waterbury
Ashton BensonWilliam Pemberton
Neel Ramanathan
Ilay Lev
Emeric Colegrove
(2 San Antonio players)

From the Host

This is a friendly reminder of the USA Water Polo Dare to Dream – Texas Festival on January 28-29, 2023 at Texas A&M University in College Station. This event is for our youngest athletes and is designed to be a fun, developmental tournament (no qualification required, no club affiliation required). The divisions for this year’s event will be 12U Mixed, 12U Girls, and 10U Mixed (Age as of Date is January 28, 2023…first day of the tournament). The 12U Divisions will play 6 on 6 (5 field players, 1 goalie) with junior size goals and size 3 balls. The 10U Mixed will play 5 on 5 (4 x field players, 1 goalie) with a shorter course, 10U size goals, and size 2 balls. The hope is all clubs throughout the Southwest Zone will enter/support this event and join in on the fun. Developing confidence and having fun will be the focus. Teams are invited to come to Texas A&M/College Station ready to play, grow and enjoy the game. This tournament will truly be a great experience for all teams/athletes/clubs/coaches involved!

Online Team Registration/Payment: USAWP Dare to Dream – Texas Festival (must be logged in at USAWP website to register).

USA Water Polo – Dare to Dream – Texas Festival:
Dates: January 28-29, 2023
Location: Texas A&M Student Recreation Center, 187 Corrington Dr, College Station, Texas, 77843 (two courses, plus separate 10U course)
Divisions: 12U Mixed, 12U Girls, and 10U Mixed
Age as of Date: January 28, 2023…first day of the tournament
Entry Fee: $550 per team. Payments will be collected when completing the online team registration process.
Online Team Registration/Payment: USAWP Dare to Dream – Texas Festival (must be logged in at USAWP website to register).
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 20, 2023
Roster Deadline: Monday, January 23, 2023
Schedule: An online schedule will be sent to everyone on Monday, January 23, 2023
Tournament Details:
Age as of Date: January 28, 2023…first day of the tournament
Bronze level membership and birth date verification is required for all athletes
There is no club affiliation rule for this national event
There is no qualification required for this tournament
Teams will play no more than 3 games per day
Athletes can only play on one roster in a single division (athletes can play in multiple divisions)
The 12U Divisions will play 6 on 6 (5 field players, 1 goalie) with junior size goals and size 3 balls
10U Playing Rules for 2023 Dare to Dream – Texas Festival:
5 on 5 (4 field players, 1 goalie)
15 yard course length
10U Goals/Size 2 Balls

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2022 Dare to Dream Festival

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Schedule/Results

AQTX/Longhorn Game Schedule

DayPoolTimeWhite CapsScore WhiteScore DarkDark Caps
AQTX 12u
Saturday311:00 AMAquaTex 12u115Pegasus Red
Saturday35:00 PMAquaTex 12u1217Thunder Girls
Sunday27:30 AMAquaTex 12u175CFWPC
Sunday210:30 AMAlamo Area1518AquaTex 12u
Longhorn White 10u
Saturday12:00 PMLonghorn White 10u2422Viper Pigeons
Saturday16:00 PMAlamo Area2119Longhorn White 10u
Sunday19:30 AMLonghorn White 10u1215Pegasus
Sunday111:30 AMCowtown/Southside1621Longhorn White 10u
Longhorn Orange 10u
Saturday112:00 PMCowtown/Southside716Longhorn Orange 10u
Saturday13:00 PMAlamo Area2410Longhorn Orange 10u
Sunday17:30 AMLonghorn Orange 10u1216Viper Pigeons
Sunday110:30 AMLonghorn Orange 10u1413Zilla

Rosters

LH 10U OrangeLH 10U WhiteAQTX 12uLH 12u
Avi SinghalAshton Benson7 - William PembertonEliza Burkhart
Claire GreenRobert Roth8 - Isabelle MorrisonDaniel Armendariz
Sawyer JayasuriyaLaird Green6 - Rudy-Matheo GarciaPierce Green
Eric CrockettRyan Benson2 - John KellyFinnley May
Claire GreenLennon Beavers4 - Silas ChamasRobert Roth
Joe HobsonSilas Chamas5 - Tristan ChamasJoe Hobson
Calder May3 - Tomas BellaviaEric Crockett
Lennon Beavers

Strongly encouraged for ALL our 12u and 10u athletes, including Swim2Score. Important to note:

  • 10u competition will take place with four field players and a goalie
  • 12u competition will take place with five field players and a goalie

From the Host

last updated 11 January 2022

Schedule and Results | Official Rules | Event Procedures

The USA Water Polo Dare to Dream – Texas Festival will be on January 15-16, 2022 at the CFISD Natatorium in Northwest Houston (over the MLK Holiday Weekend). This event is for our youngest athletes and is designed to be a fun, developmental tournament (no qualification required, no club affiliation required). The divisions for this year’s event will be 12U Mixed, 12U Girls, and 10U Mixed (Age as of Date is August 1, 2021). The 12U Divisions will play 6 on 6 (5 field players, 1 goalie) with junior size goals. The 10U Mixed will play 5 on 5 (4 x field players, 1 goalie) with a shorter course and Splashball size balls/goals The hope is all clubs throughout the Southwest Zone will enter/support this event and join in on the fun. Developing confidence and having fun will be the focus. Teams are invited to come to Northwest Houston ready to play, grow and enjoy the game. This tournament will truly be a great experience for all teams/athletes/clubs/coaches involved!!! NOTE: Online Team Registration for the event is currently not available. Everyone will receive emails once this is available.

  • Dates: January 15-16, 2022
  • Location: CFISD Natatorium, 12550 Windfern Rd B, Houston, TX 77064 (two courses, plus separate 10U course)
  • Divisions: 12U Mixed, 12U Girls, and 10U Mixed
  • Age as of Date: August 1, 2021
  • Entry Fee: $450 per team. Payments will be collected when completing the online team registration process.
  • Team Registration: Online Team Registration for the event is currently not available. Everyone will receive emails once this is available.
  • Registration Deadline: Coming Soon
  • Roster Deadline: Coming Soon
  • Schedule: Coming Soon
  • Tournament Hotel: HOMEWOOD SUITES – NW HOUSTON AT BELTWAY 8, 8950 Fallbrook Dr, Houston, TX (832) 648-4700. 109 per night for Double Rooms, $99 per night for King Room (Friday and/or Saturday). Reserve Rooms by Monday, January 3, 2021. Free Breakfast, Parking, Wifi. Booking Link
  • Age as of Date: August 1, 2021
  • Bronze level membership and birth date verification is required for all athletes
  • There is no club affiliation rule for this national event
  • There is no qualification required for this tournament
  • Teams will play no more than 3 games per day
  • Athletes can only play on one roster in a single division (athletes can play in multiple divisions)
  • The 12U Divisions will play 6 on 6 (5 field players, 1 goalie) with junior size goals.
  • 10U Playing Rules for 2022 Dare to Dream – Texas Festival:
    • 5 on 5 (4 field players, 1 goalie)
    • 15 yard course length
    • Splashball Goals/Balls
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Swim2Score for Ages 5-11 Starts Friday

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We’re excited to kick off our first Swim2Score, a new program for aquatic athletes age 5-11. Swim2Score sessions will be divided equally between high-quality stroke and swim technique, and fun water polo skills and games. They’ll begin on April 23 from 4-5 PM and will take place every Friday.

This is a great way to get your young athletes exposed to two different aquatic disciplines with some of the best coaching in Central Texas. From 4:00 to 4:30 athletes will work with Coach Hayley and others on swimming fundamentals like learning the four strokes, practicing good technique, and speed. At 4:30 they’ll jump in the small pool with Coach Sam for some directed, water polo-related skills and games.

Newcomers can register now for the program. And any family, whether currently members of the AquaTex Swim Team or not, can fill out the form below to express interest in trying Swim2Score.

Interest in AQTX Swim2Score

We’re looking forward to having your young athletes join us for this new, fun program. Contact us if you have any other questions. More details below.

More Swim2Score Details

How much does Swim2Score cost?For newcomers to AquaTex the cost is $60/month, plus registration fees detailed below. For those already registered with AquaTex for Novice or Junior swimming there is no additional cost.
What are the membership requirements?Newcomers to the program are required to join USA Swimming and register with AquaTex. There is a $150 USA Swimming/Team annual charge to every member of the club. This includes their USA Swimming registration. Current AQTX swimmers require no additional registration.
What if my child is already a novice or junior swimmer with AquaTex?They can join us at no additional cost if they are age 11 and under. Consult with Coach Marcy or Hayley if you're interested!
My athlete needs to be registered with USASwimming. Do I need a USA Water Polo membership too?No, unless your athlete begins competing for AquaTex at USA Water Polo events or joins one of our water polo programs full time.
Who's coaching?Coaches Marcy and Hayley will work on swim and stroke technique. Coach Sam will coach our water polo skills and games along with Coach James and others from the water polo coaching staff.
What does the schedule look like for my athlete?- Our youngest newcomers (5-9 years old) will swim with the novices beginning at 4:00 PM and hop in the South pool for water polo at 4:30 PM. Older newcomers will join one of the two Junior team swim practices for at least 30 minutes and will hop in with water polo beginning at 4:30 PM. Junior A practices are 4:30-5:30 PM; Junior B are 5:30-6:30 PM. Consult with Coach Marcy for more info on those groups.
- Current Novice team swimmers simply join our water polo coach in the South pool at 4:30 PM.
- Current Junior team swimmers may be excused from part of their swim practice - if necessary - to join the water polo portion from 4:30 to 5:00.
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Back to Austin College, Fall Schedule is Out

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School is (kinda) back in session which means our fall schedule is now on the calendar.

Until November…

Coaches Shannon and Kendall are returning to Austin College this week, which means their summer season of coaching is over. Wish them all the best as they return to school under some pretty different circumstances, and let’s hope they can play in the spring after having the last season cut very short. And, my personal huge thanks to both of them for leading the club so well while I was away. We’ll see them again in November!

Fall Schedule

This week we will practice from 7-9 PM Tuesday and Thursday, and from noon to 2pm on Saturday. No Friday practice.

Beginning on August 24 we will practice from 7-9 PM Monday and Wednesday, and from noon to 2pm on Saturday. You can find the entire schedule on the team’s calendar.

Plus, we’ll continue to look for days we can host extra practices, hopefully moving toward four practices regularly a week.

Splashball

The schedule for splashball this fall is still pending, but likely will take place on select Saturdays at noon. Stay tuned.

Online Training

Given the new schedule we will figure out the best time to host online learning sessions during the week.

Happy Birthday

Belated happy birthday to Mac who turned 18 (!) on July 31. And to Riley, who will be 15 as of Sunday, August 23. I feel like there should be extra cookies for those guys (Austin? Luca? Declan?).

See you on the deck, masked.

James

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Summer Schedule, JOs Update

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We’ve had two successful weeks of practice since our return, and our numbers are on the rise too. Plus, Splashball is back on the calendar and a brief update on Junior Olympics.

Summer Schedule

We are now set with our summer weekly schedule, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We have changed from Monday/Wednesday/Thursday in order to maximize the amount of time we can train in deep water.

Junior Olympics

Danny Dixon has contacted families involved in our 14u boys team that we plan to send to 2020 National Junior Olympics in November (more info from USAWP here). Given the circumstances there are some travel prices we can take advantage of. If you don’t have Danny’s contact info just ask Coach James for it.

There is still no word about when Junior Olympics qualifying will be (Southwest Zone Championships).

And finally, we’ll be inviting the non-AQTX 14u boys for practice soon.

Splashball

It’s back! Beginning on Wednesday, June 17 we’ll begin monthly splashball from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The program is for any athlete age 5-11. We had a successful session just prior to the lockdown so we’re really looking forward to the next. Share the news with friends.

Welcome (Back)

We’re very excited to have Devin, Cammie and Asher joining us for the first time. And welcome back to Brandon. It’s an exciting time for AQTX Waterpolo and we’re grateful for their families’ participation.

Happy Birthday

Belated happy birthday to Cameron and Kendall, our May birthdays. We’ll celebrate Nilmary’s in just a couple weeks, our only June celebration (unless we get new athletes!).

And check out the photos of some of our recent practices, including our new brand of scrimmaging with ultimate rules.

See you on the deck,

James

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Covid-19 Training Rules, Splashball, Non-AQTX Athletes Invited

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It has been such a pleasure to be back at the pool with our athletes and to see some of our parents as well. Water polo in the entire country is changed. And we are probably the first club in the US to get back in the pool, for which I’m extremely grateful.

So, some updates regarding how we’ll be going forward given the covid circumstances, and the change in schedule we experience every summer as Micki is opened to the public.

Plus, this update is for many people from throughout the country who have asked asked for information related to getting back to practice.

Summer Schedule

For the week beginning May 25 waterpolo training will take place from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We have changed from Monday/Wednesday/Thursday in order to maximize the amount of time we can train in deep water.

That schedule is likely but not certain to continue the first week of June. Another update forthcoming.

Non-AquaTex Members

We have had several coaches, athletes, and parents contact us about training with AquaTex while their own local clubs are shut down. I should have a better answer about if and how we can help in the next week. Given the new distance restrictions we will have to see about numbers. Thanks for getting in touch with me.

Masters/Splashball

Given that our version of masters water polo is 99% scrimmaging we will not have it on the calendar any time soon. There is some chance of organizing a shoot-around, but distancing rules will apply and be enforced.

Hosting Splashball is theoretically much easier. The issue is simply finding time on the calendar. The pool is in very heavy use during the summers. But given the interest in it we will do our best to find a time once a month for our youngest athletes.

Training Under Covid-19 Rules

As mentioned to our families a week ago Wednesday the rules under which we are operating are provided by the City of Round Rock. In general, we are simply following the local guidance as has been conveyed to Coach Mark. For water polo here’s what we’re doing.

We have set up many lounge chairs, each of which is located at least two meters from the next, for each athlete. As they enter the facility they are required to stay at or around their lounge chair. It is the same for dry-land work and conversations with coaches. You can see the setup in one of the attached photos.

No parents are allowed on the deck and masks are optional and up to each family.

During swim sets we copy the swim team. To keep athletes two meters apart we try to limit each lane to two swimmers located at opposite ends of the pool. If there were a third swimmer, he or she would have to remain somewhere two meters away, half tank for example.

Our water polo training rules are pretty simple: stay two meters away. Given that simple rule we have found it relatively easy to do individual skills, pass, shoot, do front court offense work, and even scrimmage under some unique covid-19 rules.

We held our first “scrimmage” on Thursday (photos attached) with mixed results. Those rules:

  • touching another athlete means expulsion – get dressed and go home
  • violation of the two meters rule is an exclusion.
  • 20 seconds possession, five consecutive possessions per team (front court only)
  • any shot block or goalie save = 1 point for the defense
  • offensive shots earn 1, 3, 5, or 7 points depending on distance
  • shots that miss the cage entirely (not caused by a deflection) are punished – the shooting team must sprint to the goal wall and back to the perimeter.
  • we were going to give defenders noodles to both play defense and keep distance but they were missing.

Some observations:

  • I barely blew the whistle at all for 20 minutes
  • Our scoring system was very unbalanced. Athletes (almost exclusively boys…) nearly always chose to shoot from the 7-point distance with poor results.
  • The scoring system discouraged movement, something we will change.
  • Not a single expulsion or exclusion took place. Our athletes respected the distance rules.
  • It was so good to even mimic “normal” competition. It was a good day.

See you on the deck,

James

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High School Polo is Back, Splashball, Parent Meeting

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Splashball is here – our first session was Saturday the 22nd. And our high schoolers are already getting pub after the first tournament of the season. Spring has sprung and here comes a busy season.

Splashball

We had our first Splashball session on Saturday with new coach Hayley. Thanks to those who came and we’ll look forward to seeing you again in March. Next session is on Sunday, March 29 at 10:00 AM, a day we plan to host age group scrimmages too. To participate young athletes (5-11) will need to sign up via this USA Water Polo link ($10 per calendar year).

Longhorn High School Spring Invite

The first weekend of high school competition is over with some great results for our athletes and surprising outcomes in the competition. Zairis was a key contributor for the RoRo girls and Zach is using his new skills at center to make his mark for Cedar Park. Read more about them and many more current and former AquaTexans on TXWaterpolo and TISCAWestWaterpolo.com.

High School Tournaments

A schedule should be out next Monday for our first hosted event of the year, the AQTX TISCA High School Spring Tournament on March 6 and 7. With the schedule will also be assignments for desk work by our athletes. Danny Dixon will be helping to gather other volunteers as well. These are extremely important fund-raisers for the water polo club and plans are to direct those funds toward some much needed new equipment. Game clocks and new team caps come to mind.

Update your USAWP Account

A reminder that athletes must be currently registered with USA Water Polo to practice with or compete for AquaTex. Take a moment to make sure you’re membership is current (Bronze level at a minimum). And update your ID photos. The referees when checking IDs aren’t impressed by how cute you were in 4th grade. They want to see a recent photo!

Parent Meeting

Both our scheduled parent meetings were wiped out by weather so we’ll look to put a couple new dates on the calendar for March. It should last no more than 30 minutes and will cover several things like Junior Olympics, team philosophy, goals for the club, fees and logistics, volunteering, events we are hosting, communications, and more. Coach James and Danny Dixon will lead the conversation.

See you on the deck,

James