Michigan Family Festival Information

Festival Overview

American Water Polo recognizes the stresses families are under in today’s society. Sports for children can inadvertently add to these stresses by creating competitions that are appealing to a small segment of the family, resulting in the parents choosing between attending as a group at the expense of those not competing, or splitting the family in order to allow one of their children to participate. To combat this dilemma, American Water Polo created the Family Festival. This concept is new for the sport of water polo and is meant to provide something for everyone in the family, regardless of age. Held in a location appealing to a wide variety of interests and recreational pursuits, the Family Festival provides competition, education, and recreation for individuals of all ages.

The program is divided into three basic areas: recreation, education, and competition.

Competition
The Family Festival centers on a water polo tournament that includes competition in the following age groups for boys and girls: 12 & under, 15 & under, 18 & under. Each team is guaranteed three games, with game times occurring between 9 AM and 7 PM each day to ensure families have a chance to enjoy the recreational opportunities in the area.

Education
Throughout the Family Festival, seminars will be available to parents, coaches, and athletes featuring a variety of educational topics. Each seminar will be offered at least once during the event. All seminars last 30 minutes.

Recreation
Part of every Family Festival is a recreational component that appeals to individuals of all ages. At American Water Polo, we want to provide activities that interest siblings not involved in the competition, as well as ensure that those with disabilities are able to participate.

The Michigan Family Festival features recreational swim times available to all family members throughout the tournament. In addition, all participants will be provided a tournament wide recreaitonal event Saturday evening, details of which will be announced shortly.

Event Management
American Water Polo will coordinate all games. A championship program will be printed and made available throughout the event. Results from the competition will also be posted on the web site, along with a summary article at the close of the tournament. Teams may also request that results be forwarded to their local media as well.

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Date
The tournament will be held July 9-11, 2010 with games beginning early Friday. Game times are expected to be from 9:00 A. M. to 7:00 P. M. to allow time to enjoy the recreational opportunities found in the region.

Location
The tournament will be held at

Wylie E. Groves High School
20500 West Thirteen Mile Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025
248-203-3500

Accommodations

Radisson Hotel
39475 Woodward Ave
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Phone: 248-644-1400 Fax: 248-644-5449
$65/room

Recreational Event
All participants will receive free admission to the movie of their choice on Saturday night at a local cinema.

Fastest Shot Contest
All athletes are eligible to participate. Winners will be determined in each age group. To enter the contest, athletes must purchase a ticket for $1 and register for a time to record their shots. Tickets may be purchased at the registration desk.

Each ticket provides the athlete with three shots. Each shot is recorded and the highest one is kept. Athletes may enter as many times as they desire.

The individuals in each age group at the close of the contest with the fastest recorded shots will receive a certificate.

Nearby Attractions
Detroit and Lake Saint Clair are only 30 minutes away offering a host of recreational opportunities. In addition during the weekend, powerboat races will be held in Detroit, just a short drive from the tournament site.

Awards
In order to promote athlete self esteem, every participant will receive a water bottle for taking part. In addition, athletes on the top three teams in each division will receive medals signifying their achievement.

Competitive Age Brackets
Competition will be offered in the following age groups: (brackets may be revised, dependent upon teams registered)

Each division will be guaranteed three games and will use NCAA rules with one timeout per half (to keep the games running on time). All competition will use the Kap 7 ball.

Rosters/Eligibility
Teams must turn in a roster prior to the event. Roster size is unlimited and athletes may compete in as many age levels as desired. However, coaches must realize that game times may conflict. Competitor's age is determined by the date of competition. An athlete can compete in a division as long as they are the age of that division during the competition. For example, an athlete turning 19 in August may compete in the 18&Under Division since the competition is in July.

Athlete Registration Information
All participants in the competition will be required to be American Water Polo members. Registration information is available by clicking here, or teams may sign up at the site. No athlete will be permitted to compete without proof of membership and cards will be checked at the door.

USWP Members
Teams that are not currently registered with American Water Polo but are already members of USA Water Polo should contact the office to receive a discounted rate.

Spectator Costs
American Water Polo is a non profit organization. All proceeds from the event are used to defray costs involved in conducting the activities. Entry fees and ticket prices are therefore a necessary requirement to ensure the event can offer a quality program to all in attendance.

Ticket Prices
Tournament participants are free to attend all educational seminars and recreational activities, including the recreational swim times. Spectators have the option of purchasing one of the following ticket plans:

Deluxe Family Package $45
Includes admission to all games, educational seminars, and movie night for unlimited number of immediate family members not participating in the tournament.

Basic Family Package $20
Includes admission to all games and seminars for unlimited number of immediate family members not participating in the tournament.

Deluxe Individual $20
Provides admission to all games and seminars for the pass holder, including the movie night (not transferable).

Basic Individual $10
Includes admission to all games and seminars for the pass holder (not transferable).

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Game Schedule

Spectators, parents, and siblings of competitors are welcome to swim during the recreational times indicated in red.

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All Tournament Teams
Teams are selected by the coaches. The athletes receiving the most votes are named to the all-Tournament Team, while athletes receiving votes from more than one coach are named to the Honorable Mention Team.

Entry Procedure and Costs

There are two basic costs involved in entering a team; athlete registration and team entry fee. You can determine the type of athlete registration necessary based on the membership plan desired.

Athlete Registration
All athletes must be registered members of American Water Polo in order to compete. For registration information, click here. You may register by mail or online using your credit card. Every athlete registering as a full member receives a shirt.

If you are already a USWP member, you are eligible for a Limited Membership for a cost of $25 (limited members do not recveive shirts). Athletes registering for a Limited Membership must provide a photocopy of their current registration card when they join and must register by mail.

Teams that are currently USA Water Polo members may contact the office for a discounted program that will permit your athletes to play in the Family Festival without having to insure them throughout the year.

Entry Fee
Each team entered in the Michigan Family Festival must pay a $550 entry fee. Athletes participating on more than one team may request a complimentary guest coupon for the movie night. Entry deadline is June 1st or until the specific age bracket is filled, whichever comes first.

Click here for an entry form you can print and send with your check.

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Seminar Schedule
Each seminar will last approximately 30 minutes and admission is included with your ticket price. In addition, all coaches and athletes are admitted free. All seminars will be held at a classroom adjacent to the pool.

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Rules Orientation
Session will cover the basic rules of the sport to help you understand what you are seeing and to answer the eternal question..."What are all the whistles about???"

Injury Prevention for Water Polo Athletes
Discussion will cover some basic safeguards to reduce the chance for injury specific to water polo.

College Admissions Advice
This session will focus on the myths surrounding college admissions and recruiting, in addition providing tips on what to do as a college recruit.

Drills-R Us
Session will discuss different drills for different game situations.

Careers in Sports
This session will focus on the careers available to individuals in the sporting industry with particular emphasis in the amateur athletic field including the Olympic movement, college and high school sports, and related organizations.

Living without Lefthanders on Man-up
Session will discuss strategy and training methods for man-advantage situations without the benefit of having a left-handed player on your squad.

Making conditioning interesting for your players
Session will include alternatives to boring swim sets while still adequately conditioning your athletes.

Maximizing your team's strengths
Session will discuss tactics and strategies that will help you hide your weaknesses and emphasize your strengths.

Strength training for young athletes
Session will proper techniques for younger athletes to avoid injury.

Seminar Speakers

Tom Tracey
Tom serves as the Director of Officials for the Collegiate Water POlo Association, the largest water polo conference in the country by a factor of ten. He has been involved in the sport for over 10 years, including his days as an athlete at Villanova University.

Dan Sharadin
Dan Sharadin graduated from West Virginia University and has worked in all facets of the sport since that time. He founded American Water Polo in January, 2003, having worked previously as Collegiate Director for United States Water Polo. He currently serves as Commissioner of the Collegiate Water Polo Association, a member conference of the NCAA. Sharadin has coached at all levels, from age group to college.