Origins of Treasure Valley Water Polo
Water polo in the Treasure Valley began in 1995 under the enthusiastic leadership of YMCA CEO, Jim Everett. The West YMCA pool – new at the time – provided a venue to start a Master’s program. Local athletes joined translocated Californians and players from across the US for informal scrimmages. The club was open to all – women, men, young and old – skill levels ranged from swimmers and other athletes interested in learning a new sport, to ex-collegiate and U.S. national team members. The club travelled to various tournaments throughout the Northwest and hosted an annual tournament that popularly featured a raft trip down the Payette River for visiting teams. In the Spring, the club would divide into teams for an intra-squad league (Spring League) that lasted 4-6 weeks and gave club members some competition and a change of pace. Summer outdoor polo was initiated in the early years at the Natatorium and Quinn’s Pond and in the late 90’s the first state high school tournament was held in the Fall. High school polo soon became a permanent part of the club and the Boise Master’s program was instrumental in growing high school water polo throughout the state. The Master’s club has added new (and younger) athletes, and a new series of regional tournaments has allowed increased travel play. High school polo is thriving and expanding and a youth program is now in place bringing many younger participants into the sport. With dedicated Master’s athletes passing knowledge and a love for the game to our youth, the future of water polo in the Treasure Valley has never been brighter.
Please come out and join us for this physically demanding and fun global and Olympic sport!
HAPPENING NOW: Please find more information for the current Late Winter Water Polo session here: 2026 Water Polo Sessions: Splashball, Youth, & High School
