SFY Tsunami gets first water polo win
The Sussex Family YMCA’s Tsunami 12U mixed youth water polo team earned its first tournament win in program history Feb. 8, with a 13-7 win over the New Haven Hydras during a tournament at Wissahickon High School, Ambler, Pa.
“When Anna Seiffert, director of aquatic operations at SFY, and I started the program, we had high hopes, but recognized the challenges to introducing a new sport the area and building from the ground up,” said coach Nicole W. Garrity. “This was truly a special event for our team to represent SFY and Delaware, and to get on the water polo scene in this official and competitive-level capacity.”
Garrity said she’s grateful for the players and their families who were willing to try water polo.
“We’ve already begun to make a name for ourselves, including having multiple coaches from other teams and one of the tournament referees approach our team to say how they impressed they were with our first tournament appearance, overall play and raw talent,” Garrity said.
Garrity said she and her coaches emphasize teamwork. She’s assisted by parents Adrienne Fyock and Tamas Czaszar, each of whom also played water polo.
“Our main focuses are always having fun and learning,” she said. “And the learning goes beyond the learning of the game, but to many important life lessons that generalize outside the pool.”
She said the team persevered despite having an average age younger than other 12U teams and less experience.
“I will always remember watching the players fall in love with and enjoy the sport, and want to eagerly continue to learn and play,” Garrity said.
This was the first USA Water Polo-sanctioned tournament for Tsunami squad. They competed against teams from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and New York.
The Tsunami team is the first and only youth water polo team in Delaware.
