Welcome to Union Water Polo

At Union Water Polo, our mission is simple: unite Chicago through the sport we love.

We believe water polo should be accessible, exciting, and open to everyone — from first-time athletes to seasoned players. Our club was founded to bring together athletes, coaches, and fans across the city, creating a home for the game and a community that grows stronger with every practice, scrimmage, and tournament.

Chicago has a rich water polo history, and we’re here to build on that legacy. Our founders are coaches, and players who always believed that water polo should be available to anyone who wants to try, and every region has talent to showcase. Union Water Polo exists to keep that dream alive and take it further — building a program that welcomes youth, women, men, and masters athletes, while showcasing Chicago’s talent on a bigger stage.

Our Goals for Year One

2026 is our first official year as an organization, and we’re hitting the ground running. Here’s what we aim to achieve in the next 12 months:

• Host Community Events – From beach scrimmages to pop-up clinics, we want to create more spaces to play, learn, and connect.
• Launch Our Donation & Sponsorship Program – We’re building a sustainable, community-powered model to fund nets, balls, referees, and scholarships so that cost is never a barrier.
• Create a Chicago Water Polo Calendar – A public, up-to-date calendar where athletes can find games, practices, and events all in one place.
• Recruit & Train Coaches – Develop a pipeline of passionate coaches and referees to support our growing player base.
• Form Our Travel Team – Begin assembling a competitive Union Water Polo team to represent Chicago at regional and national tournaments.
• Build Partnerships – Work with local pools, schools, and other organizations to make water polo more visible and accessible citywide.