March 2025
Written by Joanna Mazewski
Happy March Madness, Team Orlando Water Polo Club friends, family and athletes! We’ve got some special announcements, reminders and schedule changes for our March newsletter.
Housekeeping:
Our Juniors program will not have practices during the week of March 24th due to the ongoing swim meets at the Rosen Aquatic Center.
Our practices will resume during the week of Monday, March 31st at our regular scheduled practice times.
Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Attendance Policy:
Attendance at Practices and Games: Players are expected to attend all scheduled practices, games, and team functions as a priority commitment during the season.
Punctuality: Players are expected to be on time (e.g., 30 minutes early to practices and games) and participate in pre-practice, warm-ups, and other team activities.
Communication: Parents and athletes are expected to communicate all known absences via text, email, or phone call to the Head Coach as soon as they are aware of an excused absence.
Coach's Discretion: The Head Coach, following association guidelines, will determine whether an absence is excused.
General Conduct Policy at Team Orlando Water Polo Club:
Respect: All participants (players, coaches, parents, officials, and spectators) must treat each other with respect, regardless of race, gender, ability, or any other characteristic.
Good Sportsmanship: Athletes are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, both on and off the field. There is a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, violence, profanity, or any other behavior that could endanger the health, safety, or well-being of others.
Athlete Spotlight:
Congratulations to our athletes Mete Gunduz, Emanuel Pardo, Ty De Wachter and Alejandro Delgado for participating in their first professional water polo tournament with the Nessies Water Polo Club in Ocala, Florida. Our four athletes are part of their 18u All Star program.
For those not in the know, the Nessies are creating a a new pathway for athletes to pursue their passion for water polo beyond high school, offering opportunities to play professionally and earn a potential living from the sport in our own country.
Once again, congratulations!
Coach Spotlight: Coach Leo Leon Ramirez
Coach Leo graduated in 1997 from Dr. Phillips, where he was a swimmer and played water polo. He was part of the men’s swim team’s 1995 state championship team, which was not expected to win. Leon Ramirez also held the school record in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:43.22.
After graduating from the University of Florida upon transferring from the University of Massachusetts, he came back to DP to work as an assistant under former head coach Bruce Follensbee. Ramirez became the head water polo coach in 2006. In 2017, he added swimming and diving to his duties.
Looking Ahead
Middle School Tournament at the NTC in Clermont on March 30th
Florida International Water Polo Tournament at FAST in Ocala, Florida April 19-20th
Team Orlando Water Polo Club’s Trident Cup May 16, 17, and 18th
South East Zone Championships at the Rosen Aquatic Center and Lake Highland Preparatory School, June 20, 21, and 22nd
USAWP Junior Olympics in Dallas, Texas July 31-August 3rd