Park City Water Polo is looking for kids ages 10 and up. Practices for the programs begin next week and teens can join for free to try it out.

Heather Flynn, girls’ head coach and boys’ assistant coach, said there are youth programs for boys and girls in grades 10, 12 and 14. A high school program is available for eighth- through 12th-graders.

“We welcome all new players of all experience levels. We prefer it if they can swim,” laughed Flynn. “That helps, but especially the younger ones can learn it on the fly.”

The first week is free. High school practices begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20 at the Park City Aquatic Center next to Ecker Hill Middle School. Practices for youth programs begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21 at the same pool.

If kids want to continue the sport, it costs $350 per season to sign up for the high school team and $300 for youth. Flynn said scholarships are available for all programs.

Gavin Ziesler, a sophomore at Park City High School, is on the water polo team. He used to play football, but he liked the camaraderie of the water polo team better, so he switched.

Ziesler said the sport has taught him to be a team player, as he was challenged this summer at the Junior Olympics in California.

“I was playing really well and scoring a lot of goals, but then I got substituted and my coach said to me, ‘I know you’re scoring a lot of goals but we need better defending from you,'” he said. “So I stepped up and we were able to tie the game but then lost in the final whistle, which was very unfortunate, but I was very pleased with myself for being able to adapt and play the way the team needed.”

High school students play for Park City High School in the fall and as a club team in the spring.

The games for the high school team begin this September.