History of the Game of Water Polo
The sport of water polo began during the 19th century in England, but was much different than the version we see played today.
Water polo was first introduced in the United States in 1888, which played as an old rugby style match (or American football in the water). This way of playing water polo became a very popular version by the late 1890’s. With water polo’s increasing popularity worldwide, it became the first Olympic team sport in 1900. But on the other side, women’s water polo was the last Olympic team sport to be added in 2000.
Water polo became a sport for men at colleges in the early 1970’s, while the women did not get to participate as a team until 30 years later. Now, men and women alike can be seen competing at the high school and college levels all throughout the nation.