Philadelphia Family Festival Information

Date
The tournament will be held July 25-27, with games beginning early Friday. Game times are expected to be from 9:00 A. M. to 7:00 P. M. to allow time to enjoy the historic and recreational opportunities found in Philadelphia.

Location
The tournament will be held at Villanova University, 30 minutes from the Philadelphia airport and 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia.

Accommodations
Hampton Inn Plymouth Meeting
2055 Chemical Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Phone: 610-567-0900
Group Name: Water Polo Association
Contact: Jeannette Wink
Rate: $79/night

Includes:
Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast, Complimentary High Speed Internet Access, Free Movie Channel, Fitness Center/Outdoor Pool, Shopping and Restaurants in walking distance as well as local movie theater. Conveniently located off I-476 and only 7 miles from Villanova University where all games are being held.

Ground Transportation
Teams wishing to book car rentals may do so through any of the major dealers or through Kulp Car Rentals at a discount. Call Chris or Craig at 610-272-6277 for more details. Prices:

Cars: $28.95/day
Minivans: $64.95/day
15 Passenger vans: $129.95/day

Movie Night
All participants will receive refreshments and free admission to a movie of their choice on Saturday July 26, 2003. Individuals wishing to include friends and family may purchase tickets for a nominal cost.

Where: Regal Plymouth Meeting Cinema 10
1011 W. Ridge Pike, Conshochocken, PA 19428
Cinema is located just two miles from the Hampton Inn. When traveling from the pool, take exit 18B off route 476. At the bottom of the ramp turn right onto Chemical Road (to get to the Hampton Inn you would turn left at this light). Go to the first light and turn right onto Ridge Pike. The cinema is approximately 1/2 mile up on the left.

Show Times: 6:40-8:00 and 9:30-10:15 PM
call 610-940-3893 for exact times of the show of your choice.

Movies:

Finding Nemo, rated G
Spy Kids II, rated PG
Legally Blonde II, rated PG 13
Bend Like Beckham, rated PG 13
Bad Boys II, rated R
Terminator III, rated R

For a complete listing of the movies by going to their web site, click here.

Awards
Awards will be provided to the top three teams in each division. In addition, every participant will receive a free water bottle.

Competitive Age Brackets
Competition will be offered in the following age groups: (brackets may be revised, dependent upon teams registered)

Each division will be guaranteed four games and will use NCAA rules with one timeout per half (to keep the games running on time). All competition will use the Arena ball (primary sponsor).

Rosters/Eligibility
Teams must turn in a roster prior to the event. Roster size is unlimited and athletes may compete in as many age levels as desired. However, coaches must realize that game times may conflict. Competitor's age is determined by the year of competition. For example, an 18 & under may not turn 19 at any time in 2003.

Event Management
American Water Polo will coordinate all games. A championship program will be printed and made available throughout the event. Results from the competition will also be posted on the web site, along with a summary article at the close of the tournament. Teams may also request that results be forwarded to their local media as well.

Athlete Registration Information
All participants in the competition will be required to be American Water Polo members. Registration information is available by clicking here, or teams may sign up at the site. No athlete will be permitted to compete without proof of membership.

USWP Members
Recognizing that some athletes are already members of USA Water Polo, we want to make it possible for everyone to play without having to purchase two full memberships. Unfortunately, USWPís insurance agent is indicating that they will not cover their athletes when playing at an American Water Polo event. While our insurance agent has no problem with the situation, it would leave all of the USWP registered athletes without insurance. Therefore, athletes that have already purchased a USA Water Polo membership may purchase an American Water Polo Limited Membership for just $15 (only available for 2003). This Limited Membership will not provide full benefits, but will cover insurance for the course of the weekend. Individuals purchasing a LImited Membership will not receive a shirt.

Club Registration
All clubs must be registered with American Water Polo. Cost is $35 and each club receives a free ball and a rules book.

Spectator Costs
American Water Polo is a program of Young Athletes of America, a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. Accordingly, all proceeds generated from the event are used to defray costs involved in conducting the activities on a break-even basis. Entry fees and ticket prices are therefore a necessary requirement to ensure the event can offer a quality program to all in attendance.

Ticket Prices
Tournament participants will be free to attend all educational seminars and recreational activities. All other spectators have the choice of purchasing from one of the several ticket plans listed below.

Deluxe Family PackageÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ$40
Includes admission to all games, educational seminars, and entertainment for unlimited number of immediate family members not participating in the tournament

Basic Family PackageÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ÝÝÝ$15
Includes admission to all games and seminars for unlimited number of immediate family members not participating in the tournament

Deluxe IndividualÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ$15
Includes admission to all games and seminars for the pass holder, including the movie night (not transferable)

Basic IndividualÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ $5
Includes admission to all games and seminars for the pass holder (not transferable)

Game Schedule
Spectators, parents, and siblings of competitors are welcome to swim during the recreational swim times indicated in red.

All Tournament Teams
Teams were selected by the coaches. The athletes receiving the most votes were named to the all-Tournament Team, while athletes receiving votes from more than one coach were named to the Honorable Mention Team.

Philadelphia Family Festival Team Entry Form

Seminar Schedule
Each seminar will last approximately 30 minutes and admission is included with your ticket price. In addition, all coaches and athletes are admitted free. All seminars will be held in the classroom, adjacent to the pool. To get to the classroom, go through the door located underneath the main scoreboard.

For information about the seminar or the presenter, simply click on the topic or name.

Questions About American Water Polo
This session will provide a brief orientation about American Water Polo. We will cover its mission and purpose, how and why it was founded and its relationship to United States Water Polo.

Water Polo Guide for Parents
Structured in a panel format, the audience will have the opportunity to ask parents at different levels of the sport how they managed and what are some suggestions for those just getting involved.

Rules Orientation
Session will cover the basic rules of the sport to help you understand what you are seeing and to answer the eternal question..."What are all the whistles about???"

College Admissions Advice
This session will focus on what is necessary to prepare your child for college and will explain what college coaches are looking for in a recruit.

How to Get Involved as a Coach or Referee
Individuals will learn how simple it is to become involved in the sport as a referee or coach, along with the various steps and requirements necessary.

Weight Training for Younger Athletes
Topic will cover the do's and don'ts of training younger athletes in a safe and injury free manner.

Study Techniques and Time Management
Session will provide some great tips for students regarding how to manage their time commitments and get the most out of their study time.

Injury Prevention & Healthy Lifestyles
Discussion will cover some basic safeguards to reduce the chance for injury and disease as athletes grow older. Tips will be provided to help athletes incorporate healthy lifestyles.

Substance & Alcohol Abuse
Parents and coaches will learn the early warning signs of substance and alcohol abuse in order to detect problems before they reach a critical stage.

Sportsmanship for Everyone
Discussion of how good sportsmanship is everyone's responsibility.

Seminar Speakers

Dan Sharadin
Dan Sharadin founded American Water Polo in January, having worked previously as Collegiate Director for United States Water Polo. He currently serves as Commissioner of the Collegiate Water Polo Association, a position he has held since the 1980's. He has also coached at all levels, from age group to college.

Tom Tracey
An Olympic-class swimmer, Tom Tracey was the third fastest collegiate backstroker in the country during his senior year at Villanova University, where he also played water polo. Following school he worked as the National High School Director for United States Water Polo, while also serving as the Director of Officials for the Collegiate Water Polo Association. In January he began work with American Water Polo, where he now serves as the Director of Membership Development.

Shawn Cooley
Shawn has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for the University of Cincinnati and Drexel University before coming to Villanova University. He has a Masters Degree from Villanova and a BS & BA from Marietta College.

Dr. Matt Frankel
Matthew Frankel is an internist in Center City, Philadelphia. A native of Babylon, NY, Dr. Frankel has been a practicing physician in Philadelphia for 20 years. He is a graduate of Dickinson College and New York Medical College and did his internship and residency at Lenox Hill Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. He also has specialty training in diseases of the kidney (nephrology). He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

Allyson Gillespie
Allyson works as the Director of After School Programs for the Philadelphia Community Center and has also served as a Villanova University Academic Mentor. Her involvement in the sport includes both coaching and playing on the collegiate and age group levels.

Rob Peck
Rob has competed as an athlete on both the club and collegiate levels, in addition to serving as a collegiate coach. He has officiated for over nine years and currently serves as a referee for the Pennsylvania High Schools, American Water Polo, and the Collegiate Water Polo Association.

Rudy Ruth
Rudy has been involved in water polo since high school as an administrator, referee, player, and coach. He has organized and administrated numerous leagues including the Keystone State Games and the Berks County Age Group Summer Water Polo League with over 200 kids involved. He currently serves as the State Chairman for high school water polo in Pennsylvania. In his spare time he works as the principal of Wilson Central Junior High School in West Lawn, PA.