LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Water polo—a demanding sport that combines strategy, strength, and endurance—is making its long-awaited debut in Lake County high schools, thanks to a pioneering collaboration between Lake County Schools, the Orlando Thunder Water Polo Club, and Lake Minneola High School.

Building a Dream from the Ground Up

This initiative began as a grassroots effort by parents eager to bring the sport to their community. For years, neighboring counties have offered competitive water polo, while Lake County students lacked similar opportunities. Determined to fill that gap, parents of Orlando Thunder Water Polo athletes joined forces with educators and local sports leaders to lay the groundwork for a high school program.

(Students, many of which have never played a competitive game of Water Polo have been excited about the sport which will hopefully grow in the area.)

Leading the charge were Chad Farnsworth, Deputy Superintendent of Lake County Schools, and Patrick Todd, the district’s Athletic Director. With their support, the program gained traction, drawing on the expertise of Stephanie Possell, Head Coach of the Orlando Thunder Water Polo Club, and the Thunder’s Board of Directors.

Lake Minneola High School, led by Principal William Roberts and Athletic Director Stephanie Cheney, has stepped up as the program’s home base. The school will host practices and games, providing access to student-athletes from all high schools in the district.

Inclusive Model and Program Details

Thanks to Florida legislation allowing students to participate in sports at schools that offer programs unavailable at their own, Lake County’s water polo team will welcome athletes from across the district. This inclusive approach ensures equal access, even for students from smaller schools.

(Water Polo has not been an easy sport to join in Lake County. Students have had to go elsewhere mostly to play the sport. Now that it’s offered in Lake County the hope is that it will see growth.)

The inaugural season tips off in January, but preparation is already underway. The Orlando Thunder Water Polo Club is hosting three-day-a-week practice sessions to develop players of all experience levels. While basic swimming skills are required, students don’t need prior water polo experience to join.

“We’re looking for students with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn,” said Possell. “If you can swim confidently, we can teach you water polo.”

Funding the Future

Despite strong district support, the program faces significant startup costs, including pool rental fees, equipment, and competition gear. Community contributions will be essential to sustaining the program.

“This program is about more than sports,” said Ulrika Peroni, a parent and coordinator for the fundraising effort. “It’s about creating opportunities for scholarships and fostering growth for Lake County students.”

Local businesses have expressed interest in sponsoring the team, and a dedicated fund has been established through RevTrak to accept donations. Community members and business leaders can contact Peroni at ulrikaperoni@gmail.com for sponsorship details.

(Earlier this year CiCi and Augustine placed with Gold and Silver medals with Orlando THunder in Texas at the Junior Olympics. They are Lake Minneola High students.)

A Community United

The addition of water polo is a milestone for Lake County athletics. This is somthing that has been needed in the community for a long time and it’s awesome to see the sport finally getting the interest it deserves. Water Polo is an olympic sport and many kids had the opportunity to watch games this year on NBC as part of the olympic coverage. We absolutely love the collaboration between educators, parents, coaches, and the community on this effort. With continued support, this program will open doors for student-athletes to compete at higher levels and pursue athletic scholarships.

Registration and tryout information is available through the Lake Minneola High School Athletic Department and Orlando Thunder Water Polo Club. As this united effort gains momentum, we are very excited for this program as they get closer to that first game of the season in January!