Guidelines and Expectations

New Team Instagram Page: @vhhs_waterpolo

Athletic Code of Conduct & Eligibility

Please review the code of conduct and eligibility requirements Athletic Code of Conduct & Eligibility Link.

Athletic Trainers

If you see the athletic trainer for any reason, please let us coaches know. Also, in the event that you are suspected or diagnosed with a concussion, you must complete the concussion protocol set forth by the trainers and receive clearance from the VHHS trainers in order to participate in practices/games. 

New Players

Knowing how to swim is the most important skill needed to learn water polo. You do not need to be a fast swimmer or know all of the strokes to learn how to play. 

Returning Players

If you played on varsity the previous year, you are not guaranteed a varsity spot the next year. You will need to earn your spot on the team each year. Level of conditioning, speed, skill, knowledge of the sport, and work ethic are considered when placing you on squad levels. 

All Players

Play time is never guaranteed. Your attitude, teamwork, character, skill development, focus and commitment in practice are considered when establishing starters and playtime in games and tournaments. Consistently attending practice is the first step towards earning play time in games. Please do your best to schedule medical, dental, vision and other types of appointments around practices and games as much as possible. 

Team Culture

  • We are representatives of VHHS and Girls Water Polo:
  • At a contest/performance
  • Warming up before a contest/performance
  • Traveling to a contest/performance
  • In the locker room
  • Anywhere on campus - as a student - as a fan - as a human.
  • In the community
  • Yes - EVERYWHERE!!

This means our words and actions must reflect a culture of positivity, encouragement and overall classy behaviors towards our own teammates and our opponents. Let’s be #classycougars everywhere we go. 

Games and Tournaments

Regardless of whether we are home or away for games and tournaments. You are required to stay for all games regardless of your level on the squad. JV must stay for Varsity games and Varsity should stay for JV games. The only exception is when JV and Varsity are at different locations for a tournament. It is encouraged that if only one level has a tournament, especially at home, that players from the other level come and cheer for their teammates.

It is also expected that you ride the bus to and from games/tournaments. In extenuating circumstances where you will need to be taken home from a game by your parents or guardians, they (your parents) need to email Mr. McDonald, plus include me and the assistant coach (TBD) on the email for permission to leave a contest with your parents.

Cougar Athletic Boosters & Fundraiser

Encourage your parents to support CAB. There will be a fundraising event on Saturday March 16th.  

Important Dates

Parent Meeting: Saturday March 2nd at 9:30am (following practice) in the library. 

Team Community Service: March 2nd at 2pm at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. We will need some parent volunteers to join us. 

Senior Night: Wednesday, April 22th, 2024 vs. Maine East, light refreshments/celebration after the varsity game in the cafeteria. 

Team Awards Night: May 21st, 2024 at 7pm in the studio theater.