Program Desciption

The Foundations Program is designed for active kids in grades 5–8 who are ready to move beyond basic swim skills and experience the excitement of a fast-paced team sport. This program introduces athletes to the core skills of water polo while building strength, coordination, and confidence in the water. Athletes learn essential techniques such as passing, shooting, defensive positioning, and the eggbeater kick, the unique water polo movement that allows players to stay strong and stable in deep water. Practices combine skill instruction, game play, and teamwork so athletes are constantly learning while having fun. Water polo is one of the most complete sports for developing young athletes. It builds endurance, coordination, and strength in a low-impact environment that protects growing joints while improving overall athletic ability. Many of our athletes also swim or play other sports, and water polo complements those activities by improving conditioning, reaction time, and decision-making. Safety and confidence in the water are central to everything we do. Athletes should already be comfortable swimming, and our coaches provide structured instruction and close supervision throughout each session. The pool environment allows kids to train hard while staying safe and supported. To make sure every athlete develops at the right pace, we group players by age, experience level, and when appropriate, gender, depending on enrollment size. This allows both boys and girls to receive instruction tailored to their stage of development while still building a positive, unified team culture. The Foundations program is led by Ryan Castle, Founder and Technical Director of North Shore Water Polo and Head Coach at Highland Park High School, along with experienced coaches who focus on skill development, teamwork, and positive competition. Whether your child is trying water polo for the first time or looking for a new athletic challenge, Foundations provides a supportive pathway to build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of the sport. Schedule June 16 – August 2 • Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30–7:00 PM • Sunday: 10:00–11:30 AM Who It’s For • Boys and girls in grades 5–8 • Confident swimmers ready to learn a new sport • Multi-sport athletes looking to build strength and coordination • Kids who enjoy teamwork, competition, and being active in the water