There’s no substitute for competition in developing young athletes.
The Prairie Dolphins, a water polo club based in Okotoks, High River and Foothills County, took its training into game situations at a weekend tournament at Calgary’s MNP Community and Sport Centre with development and learning opportunities the name of the game.
“This is a good learning experience for everyone,” said Dolphins coach Anthony Gonzalez. “The way tournaments work, the really big one is provincials and that dictates our medals and really how we finish the season.
“But some of our players are brand new to the game, they’re learning to play and this about getting that experience so they can move forward.”
Gonzalez said the Dolphins teams typically play in five tournaments per season, adding the competition provides insight on what could be missing that’s hard to replicate in practice.
“I just look for people who are open, willing to play and open to the environment,” the coach added. “Because it’s scary for kids when we’re merging with another team, you don’t know the guys and might not feel comfortable playing, but it’s just pushing yourself.”
Like many youth sports organizations coming out of the pandemic, the numbers have been hard to come by and build back.
The Dolphins merged with the Calgary Makos club, as of last season, in order to have enough athletes to field teams at competitions.
“They were welcoming and let us join them and we’ve been co-existing and it doesn’t feel like we’re two separate clubs, we’re just together,” Gonzalez said.
“It’s been tough, our numbers had been down, but our numbers have been growing again looking at our younger guys that are coming up, the numbers are building up again.
“I think, in a few years, it will balance itself out again, we just took a hit during COVID.”
The Dolphins offer programming at the U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 age groups.
For those interested in dipping their toes in the water, there are opportunities to register or try the sport out during the season.
“For Dolphins anyone can start at any different age group or skill level and we help them build their swimming,” said Dolphins coach Avery Takatch. “If you want to get involved with a new sport, just try it out and do it.”
Takatch, a water polo athlete who added coaching to her repertoire, said it’s a tight-knit community in the sport.
“I really like that, I’ve been telling my friends about it and they’ve been getting invested in it too,” she said. “It is a small sport, but water polo is really fun and people enjoy it.”
For more information on the club, visit dolphinswaterpolo.ca.
