Girls’ Options Remain Limited

The idea of women’s water polo in the United States is gaining ground, although opportunities are still limited.

The NCAA recognizes women’s water polo as an “emerging sport” even though few schools have teams above the club level. San Diego State and some schools in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference have varsity women’s programs and Stanford and California are planning to add teams soon.

It’s hit and miss on the high school level. All but one Sunset League school has a girls’ team, but most schools have only a handful of players if any.

“Unless we make it an official (Southern Section) sport, the girls aren’t going to come out,” said Mike Stachowski, who helps coach the Santa Margarita girls’ team.

For the Southern Section to sanction championships, about 100 of the 491 schools would have to have teams. Bill Clark, assistant commissioner, said the section plans to survey its members in the next month to determine participation levels and interest in girls’ water polo.