Water polo is about to get much bigger in the state of Texas. After decades of play as a high school club sport, water polo will make its debut as an official varsity high school sport in the Lone Star State in the fall of 2022 after receiving approval from the University Interscholastic League (UIL) back in October 2019.

Boys and girls teams all across the state are set to cap-up later this year with a host of high schools in the following areas already signed-on: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, and El Paso.

Prior to UIL status, more than 150 schools competed annually, a number that is set to dramatically increase. A complete list of programs, districts, and regions will be available later this month, with the first day of practice set for Aug. 1 and the first day of the season slated for Aug. 8. All the action culminates in regional tournaments Oct. 21-22, and the first official Texas High School State championship takes place Oct. 27-28 (see below for other key dates).

"UIL staff is pleased to offer more opportunities for student participation with the addition of Water Polo to our sanctioned athletic events," said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. "We have witnessed the growth and excitement of the sport among our member schools and are honored to be able to crown our first ever state champions in Water Polo this fall."

USA Water Polo is excited for the inaugural season and asked area coaches to share their thoughts on the big news:

The excitement for the sport is already being felt around the state as water polo's appeal can tap into a strong culture of athletics in Texas. "I feel it allows a new level of the multisport athlete to develop in our arena of sport," said Kari Brothers, Northside ISD (San Antonio) Aquatic Coordinator. "We can now offer new scholarship outlooks to athletes that maybe swimming hasn't been able to provide and open doors for talented athletes to pursue different directions that haven't always been presented before. The structure and timing of it being a fall sport can also mean a great deal to working hand in hand with other sports, like basketball and soccer, that work well to feed off each other."

Jonathan Landero, PSJA ISD Aquatics Director (Rio Grande Valley) echoed those thoughts: "Water polo is going to be an important staple in Texas athletics. Now that it has been sanctioned, we are hoping more local teams will play, giving us more opportunities to improve. I feel it will compete with mainstream sports once kids and parents are exposed to it."

As Brothers noted, water polo now will move from the spring to the fall, and with UIL sanctioning, many in Texas know this will only enhance the already fast-growing sport. "It not only will give us legitimacy within our sport but also across board rooms and with superintendents across the state. That means funding," said Norm Collins, Alamo Heights ISD Aquatics Director (San Antonio).

With sport growth comes the opportunity for club growth, plus additional openings for coaches and officials, something the area needs. Texas already is home to 25 USA Water Polo member clubs and has hosted a variety of age-group competitions in addition to National Team exhibitions.

"It's huge for the sport. UIL sanctioning means additional support for programs throughout the state as well as a network of qualified officials," Plummer added. "I think once the high school teams become established, we can expect more club teams to form in order to support those high school programs. We have been in need of quality water polo officials for several years now. UIL’s adoption of water polo hopefully will attract more officials to our game."

Years of hard work by so many in the Texas water polo community is about to pay off with the first opening sprint just months away. It all will lead to what is sure to be a thrilling first state championship.

"I think the excitement level during the playoffs will be fantastic since it will be just like all the other UIL sports, and it is a win-or-go-home format," noted Chris Cullen, Denton ISD Aquatics Director (North Texas).

For more information on all things high school water polo in Texas, be sure to visit SouthWestWaterPolo.org and follow @swzone_polo and @txwaterpolo on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest news.

UIL Water Polo – Fall 2022 Important Dates

August 1: First Day of Practice

August 5: First Day of Interschool Scrimmages

August 8: First Day of Interschool Games

October 8: District Certification

October 11: Bi-District

October 15: Area Certification

October 19: Regional Quarterfinals Deadline

October 21-22: Region Tournament

October 27-28: State Championship

UIL Water Polo – Fall 2022 Game Limits

3 Tournaments & 17 Games

2 Tournaments & 20 Games

1 Tournament & 23 Games

1 contest per school week - exception for tournaments