Parks & Recreation Partnership Extends Middle School Water Polo into Fall

The City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with the Albuquerque Middle School Water Polo League to extend the water polo season into the fall for the first time. The City’s Aquatics Division and league officials spearheaded the idea in order to provide more after school opportunities for middle school students around Albuquerque.

“The school year starts next week and parents need after-school programs where their kids are safe and engaged,” stated Dave Simon, Director of Parks & Recreation. “Middle school water polo is fun, a great way to keep kids active and healthy, and another way that Mayor Keller’s youth initiative will benefit Albuquerque families.”

The Aquatics Division will keep five of its outdoor pools operating through the fall water polo season to support four middle school water polo teams. Pool and team locations include Wilson Pool, Sierra Vista Pool, Rio Grande Pool, and Eisenhower Pool. Some games will also be played at Sunport Pool. The City will provide water polo equipment for the league.

Kids ages 10-14 are eligible to participate and will be assigned to a team based on which quadrant of the city they reside. Teams will practice twice a week for an hour and play games on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Enrollment is $60 for eight weeks (from August 12 through October 5). League fees will be waived for any middle school student athlete on Medicaid or attending a Title 1 middle school.

To register, athletes must sign up with USA Water Polo at www.usawaterpolo.org. Questions about the league or registration can be directed to Janet Lyon-Huffman at 505-249-7725 or [email protected]. Click here for more information.