Las Vegas 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: 15 & under & 18 & under. Each team is guaranteed four 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 Las Vegas Family Festival features a recreational pool available to all family members throughout the tournament. In addition, all participants will receive dinner Friday night at a local restaurant.

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Date
The tournament will be held August 25-27, 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 fantastic recreational opportunities found in Las Vegas.

Location
The 50-meter pool is located in Henderson, Nevada, 15 minutes from the main strip in Las Vegas, just 10 minutes from the Las Vegas airport, and only four miles from the hotel. Competitive course will be 25 yards in length and two games will run simultaneously. To view the pool on the web, click here.





Accommodations
The host hotel is the Fiesta Henderson, just four miles from the pool. Room rates:

Friday & Saturday $82
Thursday & Sunday $49

In order to book reservations, please call the Fiesta Henderson Reservation Hotline at 800-634-3101 and ask for the American Water Polo rate. Reservations must be made prior to August 1, 2005 in order to receive the above rates. To view the hotel: http://henderson.fiestacasino.com/templates/fiesta_prop.asp?p=8

Ground Transportation
All major rental car companies service Las Vegas.

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 Las Vegas Family Festival features a recreational pool available to all family members throughout the tournament. In addition, all participants will receive dinner Friday night at Fado's Irish Restaurant and Pub.

Nearby Attractions
Besides the world renowned Las Vegas Strip with its attractions, theme
shows, restaurants, and amusement parks, the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are a short 20 minute drive from the hotel, offering a host of recreational opportunities for the whole family.

Awards
In order to promote athlete self esteem, every participant will receive a participation award for taking part.

Competitive Age Brackets
Competition will be offered in the 18 & under age group.

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 year of competition. For example, an 18 & under may not turn 19 at any time during the year.

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.

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
We welcome USWP members! Unfortunately, unlike American Water Polo insurance that covers you wherever you play, USWP’s insurance will not cover their athletes unless they are playing at a USWP event. In order to solve this problem, AWP created a discounted plan that will provide insurance coverage. Therefore, athletes that have already registered as USA Water Polo members may purchase an AWP Limited Membership for just $15 (with proof of USWP membership). This Limited Membership will not provide full benefits or a shirt, but will provide insurance.

All Limited members must register by mail (not online) and should include a copy of their USWP membership card. Registration information can be found by clicking here.

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
Athletes 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 $55
Includes admission to all games, educational seminars, complete use of the recreational pool, and dinner Friday night for all immediate family members.

Basic Family Package $35
Includes admission to all games and educational seminars and complete use of the recreational pool for an unlimited number of immediate family members not participating in the tournament.

Deluxe Individual $25
Includes admission to all games, educational seminars, complete use of the recreational pool, and dinner Friday night (not transferable).

Basic Individual $15
Includes admission to all games, educational seminars and complete use of the recreational pool for the pass holder (not transferable).

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Game Schedule
Spectators, parents, and siblings of competitors are welcome to swim in the recreational pool throughout the tournament.

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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 Fee
All teams must complete an entry form and send in their check by July 30th, payable to American Water Polo.

Checks should be sent to:

American Water Polo
320 West 5th St
Bridgeport, PA 19405

Click here for an entry form that you can print and submit 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 in a classroom in the building adjacent to the recreational pool.

For information about the seminar or the presenter, simply click on the topic or name.

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Questions About American Water Polo
This session will provide a brief orientation about American Water Polo. We will cover its mission and purpose, how and why it was founded and its relationship to United States Water Polo.

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???"

College Admissions Advice
This session will focus on what is necessary to prepare your child for college and will explain what college coaches are looking for in a recruit.

Conditioning through Drills
Seminar will outline drills that can be used to help condition water polo athletes.

Career Choices in Amateur Sports
Session will discuss the various opportunities available as career choices in the field of amateur sports, specifically in the Olympic and collegiate end.

Injury prevention in Shoulders
Seminar will detail the methods athletes and coaches can use to prevent recurring shoulder injuries and pain.

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Seminar Speakers

Tom Tracey
Tom Tracey has served as the Director of Membership Development since the inception of American Water Wolo. He has competed in the sport of water polo and swimming for over 20 years. A graduate of Villanova University, he competed numerous times at the Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships.

Daniel Sharadin
Dan Sharadin currently serves as the Commissioner of the Collegiate Water Polo Association, as well as the Director of American Water Polo. Formerly the Director of Collegiate & Senior Programming for USA Water Polo, he has a broad background regarding the admissions process for colleges and universities throughout the country and the career opportunities currently available in the field of amateur athletics.

Joe Peila
Joe has officiated for over 18 years, traveling extensively all of the world. As FINA level referee, he has worked prestigous events on all levels including the NCAA Championship. He currently teaches in the Henderson school district.

Derek Ellingson
Derek has played and coached at all levels including a tenure as the Head Coach at Queens College where he took the men's team to the NCAA Final Four. He currently serves as the assistant coach at Princeton University where he enjoyed a second trip to the Final Four this past fall, making him the first individual to attend the NCAA Championship as both a head and assistant coach from two separate programs.

Steve Johnson
An orthopedic surgeon currently practicing in New Hampshire, Steve has coached and played water polo for over 20 years.