Gainesville, Florida · Ages 7 to 18
Youth Water Polo Teams
Six teams, from a first practice at seven or eight through to Gold training five days a week. Every athlete trains at NE Pool with drylands at the UF football stadium.
6Teams
7–18Ages, plus Masters
$120From, per month
2013Established
The teams
Find your athlete's group
Teams are set by age and commitment. Monthly fees are billed per athlete; USA Water Polo membership is separate and covers insurance.
| Team | Ages | Monthly | Joining | Practices | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10U Orange | 10 and under | $120/mo | + $40 registration | 2 per week | No requirement |
| 12U Blue | 12 and under | $120/mo | + $40 registration | 2 per week | 50% |
|
14U Bronze
Bronze+ adds 2 swim practices for $30/mo
|
14 and under | $140/mo | + $40 registration | 3 per week | 66% |
|
16/18U Silver
Silver+ adds 2 swim practices for $30/mo
|
16 and 18 and under | $140/mo | + $40 registration | 3 per week | 66% |
|
14/16/18U Gold
Athletes are eligible for a locker at the pool
|
14, 16 and 19 and under | $120/mo | Coach sponsorship required | 5 per week | 85% |
| Masters | Adults | $35/mo | + $25 registration · $10 daily drop-in | 2 per week | No requirement |
USA Water Polo membership is required from Bronze level, $65 annually — register for USA Water Polo. Adults can read the Masters team information.
Week by week
Practice schedule
Water polo runs at NE Pool, 1100 NE 14th Street. Drylands training is at Gate 18 of the UF football stadium.
| Day | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Drylands · Gate 18, UF Football Stadium |
| Tuesday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Water polo · NE Pool |
| Thursday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Water polo · NE Pool |
| Day | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Drylands · Gate 18, UF Football Stadium |
| Tuesday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Water polo · NE Pool |
| Thursday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Water polo · NE Pool, plus group extra practices |
| Day | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Drylands · Gate 18, UF Football Stadium |
| Tuesday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Conditioning & swimming · NE Pool |
| Wednesday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Water polo · NE Pool |
| Thursday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Conditioning & swimming · NE Pool |
| Friday | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Water polo scrimmage · NE Pool |
| Day | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Drylands · Gate 18, UF Football Stadium |
| Thursday | 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Water polo · NE Pool |
Sign up
Register for a team
New to the sport? Athletes meet their coach at a scheduled practice — what to bring and what to expect.
Common questions
Water polo in Gainesville, answered
- Is there water polo for kids in Gainesville?
- Yes. Gator Water Polo runs six age-group teams for athletes from about seven through eighteen, training at NE Pool, 1100 NE 14th Street, Gainesville, with drylands at Gate 18 of the UF football stadium. The club has run continuously since 2013 and is the first youth water polo program in North Florida.
- Do you offer water polo classes or lessons for beginners?
- Most people searching for water polo classes or lessons near them are looking for what we run, under a different name. Gator Water Polo does not teach drop-in classes; beginners join an age-group team and are taught the sport from the first session — treading, passing, shooting and the rules — alongside athletes at the same stage. No previous water polo experience is needed, and the first practice is free, so a beginner can try it before committing to anything.
- What age can my child start water polo?
- Most children are ready around seven or eight, on the 10U Orange team — 10U means ten and under rather than a minimum of ten. Starting later is not a problem either. What water polo does assume is that an athlete is comfortable swimming, so children who are not yet are better served by swim lessons first.
- Does my child need water polo experience to join?
- No. No prior water polo experience is required at any level, and the first practice is free. What matters is that an athlete can swim confidently. New to water polo covers what to bring and how a first practice works.
- What does youth water polo cost in Gainesville?
- Monthly fees run from $120 for the 10U Orange and 12U Blue teams to $140 for Bronze and Silver, plus a $40 registration fee. USA Water Polo membership, $65 a year, is required from Bronze level up. Every team and its fee is listed in the table above.
- When do the teams practice?
- Practice runs on weekday evenings at NE Pool, with the number of sessions rising by level — the youngest groups train twice a week and Gold trains five days a week. The full week-by-week schedule is on this page under Practice schedule.
- Is there adult water polo too?
- Yes. Masters trains Thursdays 7–8 PM at NE Pool, $10 per practice or $35 a month. No water polo experience is required; you need to be able to swim 25 yards unassisted.