KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 1, 2024 – Water polo, a sport usually known for being played on the West Coast, has returned to the University of Rhode Island after many years.

Graduate student Adriana Williams grew up playing water polo in her home state of California but couldn’t find an outlet to play organized water polo at URI. She met Claire Thomas through URI club swimming practice and together they decided URI students needed an outlet to play organized water polo. Last spring, they began asking club swim team members and others participating in aquatic sports if they were interested in joining a water polo club. Their hunch paid off as they found many members who were interested in forming a club team and Williams became the club’s first president, while Thomas became the club’s first coach.

“Coach Claire Thomas volunteered to teach students how to play the sport and has a radiant passion for the sport and this club,” said Casey McQuesten, the club’s current president. “Her background in both water polo and swimming has made her more than qualified to teach us.” 

McQuesten has big aspirations for the team to become recognized as an official URI club team and to play college club teams across the nation. The executive board for the Water Polo Club has been a big help in creating the club by creating a website and posting QR codes around the Tootell Aquatic Center. 

Becoming a recognized club team is very important to club members because of the opportunities that recognized status affords the team—such as getting priority pool time for practices, getting to travel and play other schools, and funding assistance. 

Joe Wilbur, assistant director of club sports adds, “Club sports provide unmatched leadership development opportunities for students. Each club is managed by an elected executive board made up of undergraduate students who are responsible for everything from budget development and travel arrangements, to fundraising and hiring coaches.”

Despite the learning curve, Adriana, Claire and Casey with the help of others have invested their hard work and ideas into the club and hope to be able to grow and expand its membership to those with similar interests. They invite anyone who has an interest in water sports or workouts at any level of experience to inquire. 

To learn more go to (linktr.ee/uriwaterpolo).

Ethan Weiner, a junior sports media major and PR minor at the University of Rhode Island and an intern in the Department of Communications and Marketing, wrote this press release.