Eighteen Tallulah Falls School lower and middle school students are participating in the inaugural Youth Water Polo Afterschool Club. Students improve their swimming skills and learn the basics of a new sport in a fun, friendly, competitive way. This program gives students access to the pool in a structured environment.
“It is a perfect fit for our students,” said Natatorium Director Katie Ralston. “I am always trying to find ways to bring students to the pool, and this is something that we have not done before at TFS.”
Assistant Natatorium Director Harrison Butler had the idea to bring water polo to TFS. He brought the idea to Ralston, and they immediately began forming the club.
“It was something I knew we could do, and we could do it well,” said Ralston. She has also implemented youth water polo programs for Gwinnett County.
The program advocates swimming as a sport, builds interest in other aquatic activities, and helps students achieve their swimming goals. They enthusiastically practice land drills like eggbeater kicks and passing practice before jumping in the water for more eggbeater kicks and dribbling the ball across the water.
Fifth grader Charlotte Hatcher of Sautee enjoys hanging out with her friends and doing her favorite thing – swimming.
“Coach Butler taught me everything I needed to learn. He taught us the eggbeater kick, which is a really hard way to tread water, but it makes me stay up longer when I hold the ball,” said Hatcher.
Butler sees water polo as a great way to use the TFS natatorium for an outside-of-the-box water experience. Fifth grader Kayleigh McEntire of Clarkesville is participating in the club.
“It is really exciting to learn how to play water polo,” said McEntire. “Not a lot of kids get to do this.”
Senior Milos Vujovic of Montenegro assists with coaching the club. He is an experienced water polo player and coach. He brings his expertise in water sports to the group.
The Club is meeting for six consecutive Wednesdays from August 30 through October 4.
“The response has been terrific, and we will definitely continue this program,” said Ralston.
