If a practice is ever cancelled due to weather, or any other unforeseen problems, we will always try to post an update on the website, put out a team-wide e-mail, and/or get the word out by text message through our captains.  Please make sure we have your current e-mail address and that our captains have you or your athlete’s cell phone numbers.

In any storm, weather can be very different from one end of the metro area to the other.  We want you to know that you have our support if you decide conditions in your area are not safe for travel.  With that being said, this is Colorado and we will have many weather events between now and the spring.  Please plan accordingly.  Give yourselves extra time to arrive at practice on schedule, and know that arriving late is better than not coming to a practice at all.

The Pirates won their final three games to take 5th place at USA Water Polo's first ever 12U National Championship Tournament.  Teams came from Connecticut, Florida, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado.

The final game for the Pirates was the most closely-contested against a very strong Neptunes team.  The Pirates led by one at half-time.  But the Neptunes came back to tie the game by the end of the 3rd quarter.  But tough defense and an aggressive attack by the Pirates led to victory.

Congratulations Pirates!  We're very proud of you.

7-1-11

Congratulations on a great weekend!  Twice in the past a Pirate team has managed to finish in 2nd place at the Kearns tournament, including our 12U's last year.  This year, the first for the Mountain Zone Championships, three of our teams finished in 2nd place with another taking 3rd.  You helped us achieve our best results yet even though we added a lot of new players in just the past few months.

In addition to collecting trophies and medals, we got a lot of good polo in against strong competition.  You all grew and improved so much in your play.  You made your coaches proud!  And... we all had a lot of fun!

We are trying to figure out a year-end party for fun and to thank our seniors.  We are considering three dates in July.  Please check your e-mail.

We are also taking one more order for this year's trip t-shirt.  We are opening this up to parents and anyone else who would like one.  Pleae e-mail Mark by the end of the week with your size if you would like one.

5-16-11

The Northern Colorado Water Polo Club (formerly:Fort Collins Water Polo) is hosting a Beach Polo Exibition (June 4-July 30) and Tournament (August 20) this summer in Longmont on private Lake Denesha.   

This could be a fun way to fill the break we take each year after Utah.  This is up to individual players to join.  Feel free to try it (as long as it doesn't interfere with regular team practice).

Beach Polo is a smaller, faster game than your average water polo game.  The course is smaller (11x18meters), the goals are smaller (10-under), the balls are smaller (intermediate 3), and the teams are smaller (Junior teams are 4 on 4 with a goalie and Master teams are 3 on 3 with a goalie).  Much like indoor soccer, Beach Polo is fast, intense and will definitely get your heart-rate up!

In June we will hold open scrimmages to get everyone aquainted with the game and with each other, and Masters will watch Juniors for a draft at the end of June.  In July we will form teams--hopefully with Advanced/Novice, Men and Women squads.  These teams will play together through the end of July and on the tournament, August 20, where we will be giving trophies and prizes to the top contenders and have and end of season party for all participants.  This year's format is for exhibition, but next year we would like to start the Beach Polo League in June (enter your own team) with an annual Beach Polo tournament in August.

There will be more information about Beach Polo at www.norcowaterpolo.com soon, but feel free to contact Chris Rubbo if you have any questions!  fcwp.rubbo@gmail.com

4-4-11

This tournament was organized as a way to honor Grier's memory and his contributions to water polo in Colorado, and to benefit the memorial fund which helps Grier's children.  We entered teams in the 18U division and in the youth scrimmages.

The 18U team won all four of its games. 

Saturday: 

16-7 over Ft. Collins

16-12 over Rocky Mountain Neptunes

Sunday:

11-4 over Ft. Collins

15-7 over Rocky Mountain Neptunes

Our youth teams played a team of Boulder and Ft. Collins three times, coming out ahead each time.

All proceeds from the tournament went to the Grier Laughlin Memorial Fund.  Grier's wife Karen and their three children came by Saturday evening for some special presentations.

USA Water Polo sent a plaque commemorating Grier's contributions to water polo in Colorado.  Matt Anthony presented donations to the family memorial fund, and three pirate captains presented Karen with a scrapbook of player memories of Grier.

Sports Authority donated $2,500 to the memorial fund.  The Los Alamitos Water Polo Club in California sent $500.  Added to proceeds from entry fees and donatons from people visiting the tournament, we raised just over $4,500 for the Grier Laughlin Memorial fund.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the fund.

UPDATED September 1, 2010 

We're doing something special to start off the latest season of Pirate Polo.  Our 'kick-off' day will include scrimmaging and a potluck picnic after the games, so save the date! 

Practice begins at 9:45am at Hinkley for stretching and warm-up, followed by a team picnic at General's Park at Colfax Avenue and Quentin Street (just 5 minutes from Hinkley). 

Fried chicken, plates, and soda are provided.  Please bring a side dish or dessert according to the following schedule.

Families with a last name beginning in A-G: side dish or salad

H-M:  dessert

N-Z:  bread or rolls

Please RSVP to Janet Harm at: Janet@Harm.net or at 303-882-5650, so we know how much chicken to order.

Families and friends are welcome.  This would also be a great chance to bring a someone new who has thought about trying our sport.

At the picnic, Grier will talk abou the upcoming year, and we'll introduce you to our new Pirate Captains!

See you all soon!

Summer 2010 

The Pirates faced many challenges this year in Utah, but earned trophies in three divisions for the second straight year.

This year's teams were all co-ed and featured our first 12U team.  New players and parents joined us for this Pirate tradition and made it a great trip!

Our 18U co-ed team competed in the Boys 18U division and finished in third place.

Our 15U co-ed team took third in their division.

And our youngest team finished the highest, taking 2nd place in the 12U division in their very first tournament!  A fine treasure for their maiden voyage.  AAAARGH!

Summer 2009

The Pirates enjoyed their most successful trip to Utah yet, with all three teams bringing back booty from our favorite road trip.

The Girls 18U team took 2nd place for the second straight year, fighting back to come within two points of tournament champion, and perennial Utah state champion, Kearns.

The Boys 18U team took third place, matching their best finish from two years ago.  Despite losing many scheduled starters, this team pulled together, fought hard, and finished strong.

The Co-ed 15U team also finished third.  Many of the top players on this team played significant minutes on the 18U teams, with several starting for two teams.  Despite that grueling schedule, meaning 8-10 games in 48 hours, this team also performed very well!

In years past, one team or another earned a trophy.   This is the first time all three teams did so in the same year.

CONGRATULATIONS PIRATES!

11-17-08

Our 17&under boys team winner of Colorado Cup!!!

Pirates 11   CSU 9

Pirates 16   DU Masters 13

Pirates 16   CSU 12

Congratulations Pirates!

Also congratulations to our young girls for beating CSU Club 14-11. Way to go!

Other women's results:

Pirates 5   Colorado College 7

Pirates 4   Air Force 11

10-22-08

Colorado Water Polo hosted it's second tournament October 17-18 at Hinkley High School in Aurora.  CWP welcomed the top club teams from Utah and New Mexico.  Boys and girls competed together on teams in two age divisions, 18 and unders and 14 and unders.

The Pirates 18U team finished on top with a record of 3-1 after beating Duke City (New Mexico) twice and splitting two games with Kearns (Utah).  Kearns finished at 2-2.  Duke City was 1-3.  

The Kearns High School teams are Utah state champions.  Their girls have won the state championship for the past three years.  The Kearns boys have won the past four state championships.  While Kearns did not brings its top players, this is a very strong and talented program we are proud to have hosted for the first time here in Colorado.  Head Coach Brad Peercy hosts the Kearns Invitational Tournament we play in each June.

New Pirates Making Big Splash

CWP is benefitting from a number of players who joined the Pirates after learning the sport elsewhere.  Two big contributors to the 18U team are Luis and Ramon Vidal who moved to the Denver area after playing at the highest levels in Puerto Rico.  Both were members of Puerto Rico's 18U National Team.  Two of their siblings play at Colorado State University.  Their older cousin Lorene is a member of the women's NCAA program there.  Older brother Raphael, who was a member of Puerto Rico's Senior National Team, plays on the men's club team at CSU.

Jasmine Griffin and Brigitta Games helped support the 14U team.  Both played in California before moving to the Denver-metro area in recent months.

Many younger players had fun and gained valuable experience playing in the 14U division despite losing three games to Kearns.  This was the first tournament for a number of Pirates who recently learned the sport.  Many have come from the Youth League, while others heard from friends.  CWP coaches and players welcome new players of all ages, so keep inviting friends and neighbors to practice!

Thank You to our Guests and Supporters

CWP also wishes to thank Brad Peercy and Janet Lyon-Huffman for bringing their teams to the 2nd Annual Davey Jones Classic.  It was a great experience for us and gave our players a chance to play in front of family and friends at home.

Thank you to Don Lewis, a national level referee, who refereed every game of the tournament and also ran a clinic for potential referees Saturday morning.  Colorado coaches, a former player, two parents, and two DU Masters players attended along with the visiting coaches.  Don is a long-time supporter of Colorado Water Polo, always encouraging our efforts whenever we see him in Utah each June.  It was fun to have him here in Colorado.

We also want to thank the parents who came out to cheer and help with food and medical support.  Your help is greatly appreciated and will help us make this event better each year.

Schedule and Results

Friday October 17 at Hinkley

Game #1   6:00 18&U Duke 3   CWP 6

Game #2   7:00 14&U Kearns 9  CWP 1

Game #3   8:00 18&U Duke 5   Kearns 12

Saturday October 18 at Hinkley

Game #6   2:00 18&U Kearns 7   CWP 5

Game #7   3:00 14&U Kearns 8   CWP 6

Game #8   4:00 18&U Duke 10   Kearns 4

Game #9   6:30 18&U Duke 7     CWP 10

Game #10 7:30 14&U Kearns 6    CWP 4

Game #11 8:30 18&U Kearns 7    CWP 11

Rankings

14&Under:

     Kearns 3-0

     CWP    0-3

18&Under:

     CWP    3-1

     Kearns 2-2

     Duke    1-3

4-21-08
Six more Pirates will be competing in a national tournament as part of their age group's traveling team.

Heather Frank, Bailey Gadd, Kalina Grabb, Tori Holtestaul, and Cecilia Paciaroni all made the traveling team for the Mountain Zone Girls Junior Team for girls born in 1991 and 1992.

Mitra Ghaffari made the traveling team for the Mountain Zone Girls Youth Team for girls born in 1993 or later.

The girls Junior Team tournament will take place in Irvine, California over Memorial Day weekend.

The girls Youth Team tournament will be in San Juan Capistrano, California on the same dates, May 23rd-26th.

Of the 24 Pirates who took part in the first Mountain Zone tryout at Hinkley High School back in March, 12 have made their traveling teams and will play in a national tournament.  That is an oustanding individual, and team, accomplishment.  Congratulations to all of you!

4-17-08

Six Pirates will now have the chance to compete in a national tournament as part of their age group's traveling team. 

Matt McCurdy qualified for the Mountain Zone Junior Boys Traveling Team.  The Junior Team national tournament will take place in Annapolis, Maryland over Memorial Day weekend May 23rd-26th.

Marshall McCurdy qualified for the Mountain Zone Boys Youth "A" Team.

Jake Anderson, Wyatt Oerman, Ryan Schmid, & Conner Skeen-Gaar qualified for the Mountain Zone Boys Youth "B" Team. 

There are two teams this year for the Boys Youth Team because the Mountain Zone will host the national tournament in Kearns, Utah over the Memorial Day weekend.

Congratulations Pirates!  And good luck at Nationals!

Updated 3-27-08

17 Pirates qualified for their Mountain Zone teams this year, the most in team history.  Each of the chosen players is invited to their Zone Team Training Camp for more training and a chance to make the zone traveling team.   Players chosen for their traveling teams will compete at a national tournament against other zone teams from across the country.  At that tournament, national team members will be chosen from each age group. 

Congratulations Pirates!  Good luck at your zone camps!

Pirates on Zone Teams:

          Boys Youth Team - Coached by Mike Goldhart & David Grovdahl

•           Jake Anderson
•           Sam Buchholz
•           Kyler Epperson
•           Marshall McCurdy
•           Wyatt Oerman
•           Ryan Schmid
•           Conner Skeen-Gaar

          Girls Youth Team - Coached by Robbie Bova & Manu Ghaffari

•           Courtney Bundy
•           Mitra Ghaffari

          Boys Junior Team - Coached by Robert Wills & Mark St. John

•           Bijan Ghaffari
•           Matt McCurdy
•           Riley Skeen-Gaar

          Girls Junior Team - Coached by Ryan Castle

•           Heather Frank
•           Bailey Gadd
•           Kalina Grabb
•           Tori Holtestaul
•           Cecilia Paciaroni

Check the Mountain Zone Web Site for details on dates and locations for zone camps.

***If you have not heard from your zone coach, contact them as soon as possible.