USA Water Polo and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced a partnership on Tuesday with a mission of growing the sport at the high school level after it recently escaped the chopping block in the Sunshine State.
High school water polo was at risk of being de-sanctioned in Florida last month, as the item was up for discussion at the FHSAA Board of Directors Meeting on September 21-22. However, the local water polo community made their voice heard, leading to the item being removed from the Board Meeting agenda.
Now, the FHSAA has aligned with USA Water Polo with an eye on bringing the sport to more high schools in the state and increasing water polo’s exposure as a whole.
“The state of Florida is the perfect place for water polo to grow,” said USA Water Polo CEO Jamie Davis. “365 days of pool weather, outstanding aquatic facilities and a stellar group of existing high school programs are the ideal pillars to build upon. We are thrilled to collaborate with the FHSAA and the Florida water polo community to help bring water polo to more high schools throughout the state, increasing exposure to our great game.
“We know once these new schools try water polo, they’ll be hooked on an extremely fun sport that is built on teamwork and camaraderie while also fostering strong swimming skills and water safety.”
FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon added: “The FHSAA is proud to partner with USA Water Polo to strengthen and grow the sport across Florida. “This collaboration represents our shared commitment to creating new opportunities for student-athletes while supporting the growth of a sport that fosters teamwork, discipline, and excellence across our great state.”
The 2024 U.S. Olympic water polo teams were primarily made up of California natives, but the women’s squad did include Florida native Ashleigh Johnson, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was raised in Miami and led Ransom Everglades School to three straight girls’ water polo state titles.
“Without high school water polo, I never would have accomplished some of my biggest dreams,” said Johnson. “The foundation for winning two Olympic Gold Medals with Team USA and playing for Princeton University was built because of my high school water polo experience at Ransom Everglades. I’m thrilled to see the FHSAA and USA Water Polo working together not just to save high school water polo in Florida but to make it grow!”
This past season, the Westminster Academy boys and the Gulliver Prep girls won the 2025 FHSAA state titles. The 2026 season will run this coming April.
I wish waterpolo would have been a sport in Minnesota for high school. I definitely would have tried out.