Philadelphia 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 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 Philadelphia Family Festival features recreational swim times available to all family members at selected times throughout the tournament. In addition, all participants will receive free admission and refreshments to the movie of their choice at a local theatre Saturday night.

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Date
The tournament will be held August 3-5, with games beginning Friday. Game times are expected to be from 9:00 A. M. to 7:00 P. M. to allow time to enjoy the historic and recreational opportunities found in Philadelphia.

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Location
The Festival will be held at Villanova University, 30 minutes from the Philadelphia airport and 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia.

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Accommodations

Best Western Inn at King of Prussia
127 South Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-265-4500
Block: Water Polo Association
Rate: $95/night (renovated business rooms)
$89/night (outside entrance rooms)

Sleep Inn/Main Stay
440 American Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: 484-690-2000
Group: Water Polo Association
Rate: $89/night

Motel 6
815 west Dekalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-265-7200
Rate: $76/night

No Room Block - Based on room availabilty

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Ground Transportation
Teams wishing to book car rentals may do so through any of the major dealers or through one of the following:

Kulp Car Rental (12 passenger vans only)
610-272-6277 Contact: Chris Derr
Reference: Water Polo
Kulp located by Villanova but can work out an airport pickup.

Express Car Rental (15 passenger vans) 215-492-0100
Contact: Dennis $110/day (unlimited miles)
Reference: Water Polo
Express is right by the airport in Philadelphia.

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Movie Night
All participants will receive refreshments and free admission to a movie of their choice on Saturday night. Individuals wishing to include friends and family may purchase tickets for a nominal cost.

Where: UA King of Prussia Stadium
300 Goddard Blvd, King of Prussia, PA
610-337-0282

Cinema is located just behind the King of Prussia Plaza on Goddard Boulevard. When traveling from the pool, take Lancaster Avenue south to 476 north. Exit 16 B and take 76 west. Exit at 328A which is 202 South/422 West. Merge onto West Dekalb Pike. Take your first left and then continue straight through the light onto Mall Blvd. Cinema is ahead on your left.

For a complete listing of the movies, go to their web site, click here.

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Fastest Shot Contest
All athletes are eligible to participate. Winners will be determined in each age group and gender (12 & under will be coed). 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.

Athletes should take their tickets to the AWP Staff member poolside during one of the following times:

Saturday at 9:35, 12:00, 3:00 and 6:00 PM

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 and gender with the fastest recorded shots will receive an award on Sunday during the Awards ceremony.

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Nearby Attractions
In addition to Philadelphia's numerous historical landmarks and tourist attractions downtown, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Penns Landing riverfront, the region boasts fantastic shopping at the King of Prussia Plaza, one of the largest malls in the nation. Likewise, the surrounding area offers several historical and recreational opportunities including Valley Forge National Park, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Six Flags Great Adventure, Camden Aquarium, and the world renowned Longwood Gardens. Philadelphia is also only 50 miles from Atlantic City, New Jersey, offering famous performers and entertainers, as well as beautiful ocean beaches.

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

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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 Arena ball (primary sponsor).

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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 the year.

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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! Athletes that have already registered as USA Water Polo members may purchase an AWP Limited Membership for just $20 (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.

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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 $40
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 $15
Includes admission to all games and seminars for unlimited number of immediate family members not participating in the tournament.

Deluxe Individual $15
Provides admission to all games and seminars for the pass holder, including the movie night (not transferable).

Basic Individual $5
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 black.

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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
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 $20. Athletes registering for a Limited Membership must provide a photocopy of their current registration card when they join and must register by mail.

You can determine the type of athlete registration necessary based on the membership plan desired.

Entry Fee
Each team entered in the Philadelphia Family Festival must pay a $395 entry fee. Athletes participating on more than one team may request a complimentary guest coupon for the movie night. Entry deadline is July 13th 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 Villanova University in the classroom adjacent to the pool. To get to the classroom, go through the door located underneath the main scoreboard.

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

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Rules Orientation; Tom Tracey
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; Dr. Mike Duch
Discussion will cover some basic safeguards to reduce the chance for injury specific to water polo.

College Admissions Advice; Dan Sharadin
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; Dan Sharadin
Session will discuss different drills for different game situations.

Careers in Sports; Dan Sharadin
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; Dan Sharadin
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; Tom Tracey
Session will include alternatives to boring swim sets while still adequately conditioning your athletes.

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

Commitment to Greatness; Maddy Crippen
Session will cover Maddy Crippen's story as she trained for and eventually made the U. S. Olympic Sim Team in 2000.

Seminar Speakers

Dr. Mike Duch
A graduate of Villanova University and Temple University, Dr. Duch is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knees and shoulders. He has competed in the sport of water polo for over 20 years.

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 a nationally ranked swimmer, at one time the third fastest in the country for the 100 yard backstroke. He has been involved in water polo for over 10 years, including his days as an athlete at Villanova University.

Dan Sharadin
Dan Sharadin graduated from West Virginia University in 1981 and has worked in all facets of the sport since that time. He founded American Water Polo in January, 2003, he served as Collegiate Director for United States Water Polo for six years, as well as Commissioner of the Collegiate Water Polo Association since 1990. Sharadin has coached at all levels, from age group through college, including Villanova University since 1983.

Maddy Crippen
Maddy began swimming locally at Germantown Academy, where she also trained with the nationally renowned Foxcatcher Swim Club under Dick Shoulberg. Maddy swam the 400 IM in the 2000 Olympic Games and will be talking about what it takes to be successful at the highest level.

Crippen began her swimming career at Germantown Academy under Dick Shoulberg, a coach that has produced a total of 11 Olympians. She ranks as one of the finest swimmers to ever come out of Philadelphia and one of the top in the world.

During college at Villanova University she was a Two-time Big East Conference Most Outstanding Female Swimmer, winning Big East titles in the 500 yard freestyle (4:46.85), the 400 yard individual medley (4:15.20), and the 200 yard breaststroke.

In 1998-99 she became the second Villanova female ever to win a National Championship in Swimming as she won the 400 yard individual medley (4:06.76).

In 1999-2000 she redshirted the season to train for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where she Finished sixth in the 400m IM.

In addition to these accolades, she was also a member of the World Championship Team in 1998 and the Pan Pac Team in 1997.