TO: Players, Parents and LC Water Polo Fans

FROM: Larry Naeve, Head Coach

RE: How we play the GAME

DATE: July 18, 2006

This week an incident happened that reminds us all that we need to play water polo as the GAME is it supposed to be. We all can remember the recent terrible situation when Gamal Rady was purposely injured to get him out of the game. Each of us has a responsibility to play this game with honor and understand that it is a GAME. Water Polo is pretty physical most of the time and you as players, your parents as spectators and us as coaches must keep each of us in control.

Water Polo is a great game. At the same time there is no place for violence, or over aggressive play. If you are playing a team and they are playing hard this does not mean that you have to resort to over aggressive play. You need to just play hard and keep yourself in control. If the other player is a stronger player than you, you win by playing hard not by using over physical play to gain an advantage. If a player is outplaying you, your response is not to try to hurt the other player to gain an advantage. If your opponent uses over aggressive physical play it is your responsibility to play hard and stay in control not to resort to the same sort of non-sportsmanlike play the other team is using.

Over aggressive play with the intent of hurting another player has no place in water polo or any game. You represent our team, your coaches, your school and community. Play this game hard. Play this game with honor. Play this game and have fun. Do not play this game at the expense of your opponent.

Players who can't follow these simple guidelines will face exclusion from games. Any player excluded from a game for Brutality will face immediate suspension from the team pending a full investigation and action to be taken by the coaches and school administration.