Irvine Youth "Kahuna" Water Polo is a community based program operating out of the world class William Woollett Aquatics Center. 

We are about participation and fundamental development, especially at the younger age groups.

We develop and train all athletes equally based on their proficiency and ability to learn. 

We are currently training nationally recognized players.

IYWPC will act in accordance with the following principles:

Fair Dealing

IYWPC will deal fairly with our players, officials, referees, coaches, colleagues, sponsors, suppliers and competitors.

Avoid Conflicts Of Interest

IYWPC acknowledges that there may be times when our personal or other interests conflict with those of the organization. In these circumstances, IYWPC will take action to remove or manage the conflict, so as to avoid detriment to IYWPC or any perception of conflict of interest.

Personal Transactions

IYWPC Directors or employees will not use the name of IYWPC (or any of its members) for personal gain.

IYWPC will not use any information gained from our dealings with IYWPC for personal gain, nor allow any such information to be used for the personal gain of others.

Any equipment, services or facilities made available to our players, officials, referees, coaches, colleagues, sponsors, suppliers and competitors by IYWPC will be used only for properly authorized purposes.

Maintain Confidentiality

IYWPC will take care to ensure that confidential information about our our players, officials, referees, coaches, colleagues, sponsors, suppliers and competitors is properly protected and not disclosed, except for proper purposes or where required by law.

Compliance With The Law And Company Policies

IYWPC will abide by the law and relevant policies at all times.

Reporting Of Breaches Encouraged

Any breaches of the law or unethical behavior which becomes known must be reported to a relevant coach or board member. Breaches of the law which become known to a board member must be reported to the President or the Board as a whole. Any breaches so reported will be properly investigated and appropriate action taken. Persons who report suspected breaches in good faith shall be protected from victimization.

Player’s Code of Conduct

Arrive in a timely manner to all practices and events. For practices this is about five to ten minutes prior, for games it is about thirty minutes prior. If you know that you will miss a scheduled practice or event, please email (info@irvinewaterpolo.org) or contact the appropriate coach. If you need to leave early, please notify the appropriate coach upon your arrival. If you leave the water for any reason you must notify the coach on deck prior to leaving and make certain that they know when you return to the water.

Play by the rules

Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain or coach approach the official after the competition or at the appropriate times during when allowed for within the rules..

Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and taunting other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviors in any sport.

Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.

Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.

Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.

Cooperate with your coach, team mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.

Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Administrator’s Code of Conduct

Includes Coaches and Board Members of IYWPC:

Involve young people in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.

Give all young people equal opportunities to participate.

Create pathways for young people to participate in sport not just as a player but as a coach, referee, administrator etc.

Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age, ability and maturity level of young players.

Provide quality supervision and instruction for all players.

Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit. Do not over emphasize awards.

Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behavior and skill development, and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.

Ensure that everyone involved in sport emphasizes fair play, and not winning at all costs.

Give a code of behavior sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches, players and the media, and encourage them to follow it.

Remember, you set an example. Your behavior and comments should be positive and supportive.

Make it clear that abusing young people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Spectator’s Code of Conduct

Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours

Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams.

Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.

Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.

Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.

Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.

Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.

Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.

Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Coach’s Code of Conduct

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being. Within the context of the activity, treat everyone equally regardless of sex, disability, ethnic origin or religion.

Ensure the athlete’s time spent with you is a positive one. All athletes are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.

Treat each athlete as an individual. Respect the talent, development stage and goals of each individual athlete; help each athlete reach their full potential.

Be fair, considerate and honest with athletes. Be professional and accept responsibility for your actions. Language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation should display high standards. Display control, respect, dignity and professionalism to all involved in the sport - this includes opponents, coach’s officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage your athletes to demonstrate the same qualities.

Make a commitment to providing a quality service to your athletes. Seek continual improvement through performance appraisal and ongoing coach education. Provide a training program which is planned and sequential.

Operate within the rules of your sport. Please contact IYWPC for a rule book and any relevant policies. Coaches should educate their athletes on drugs in sport issues in consultation with USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency).

Provide a Drug Free Environment - Do not advocate, prescribe, recommend, support, administer or participate in the use of drugs, stimulates, or doping practices with respect to any athlete under your coaching and direction and abide by the Anti-Doping Policy of USADA or Anti Doping Policy adopted by USA Water Polo Inc. Coaches should educate their athletes on drugs in sport issues in consultation with USADA .

Any physical contact with athletes should be:

Appropriate to the situation.

Necessary for the athlete’s skill development.

Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards your athletes. This includes verbal, physical and emotional abuse. Be alert to any forms of abuse directed towards your athletes from other sources while they are in your care.

Refrain from any form of harassment. This includes sexual harassment, racial vilification and harassment on the grounds of disability. You should not only refrain from initiating a relationship with an athlete but should also discourage any attempt by an athlete to initiate a sexual relationship with you, explaining the ethical basis of your refusal.

Provide a safe environment for training and competition. Ensure equipment and facilities meet safety standards. Equipment, rules, training and the environment need to be appropriate for the age of the athletes.

Show concern and caution towards sick and injured athletes. Provide a modified training program where appropriate. Encourage athletes to seek medical advice when required. Maintain the same interest and support towards sick and injured athletes.

Be a positive role model for your sport and athletes. Abuse and insults directed at officials or parents.

Refrain from inappropriate behavior towards officials and parents.

Official’s Code of Conduct

Realizing that these may be covered in one or more of the codes of conduct that you need to follow as dictated by USAWP and SCAF, the following is expected when working an event for IYWPC. Failure to follow the above will result in the reporting to your association and failure to receive further assignments for IYWPC hosted events.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, religion or ability.

Be professional in your appearance and manner and accept responsibility for all actions taken. Display high standards in language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation. Display control, respect dignity and professionalism to all involved with water polo (including athletes, coaches, officials, administrator parents and spectators) and encourage other referees/officials to demonstrate these qualities. Be courteous, respectable and open to discussion and interaction.

Make a commitment to providing quality service to officiating for IYWPC by seeking continual improvement of your officiating knowledge and skill through study, performance appraisal and regular updating of competencies through your association.

Operate within the rules and spirit of water polo. Abide by and respect the regulations governing water polo and sport generally and the organizations and individuals administering those regulations.

Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards athletes, officials, parents and coaches. This includes verbal and physical abuse.

Refrain from any form of sexual harassment. This includes explicit, implicit, verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment.

Provide a Drug Free Environment – Do not advocate, prescribe, recommend, support, administer or participate in the use of drugs, stimulates, or doping practices in respect of any athlete under my officiating and direction and abide by USADA or Anti Doping Policy adopted by USA Water Polo Inc. Officials should educate their athletes on drugs in sport issues in consultation with USADA.

Place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet rule requirements and safety standards, bringing any concerns immediately to an IYWPC event staff person.

Be impartial. Be a positive role model for refereeing and officiating. Arrive in a timely manner for your assignments and most importantly, show concern and caution towards sick & injured athletes.

Parent/Guardian’s Code of Conduct

As a parent/guardian of a player/participant in any activity held by or under the auspices of IYWPC, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any such activity or event:

Go over the Player’s Code of Conduct with your child.

Encourage your child to arrive in a timely manner for all practices and events.

Remember that your child participates in sport for their own enjoyment, not yours.

Do your best to refrain from coaching or instructing your athletes during games; leave that to the coach on deck as it may be confusing for them to focus on more than one voice. However if there is a situation regarding the safety of any athlete, you have a duty to be verbal immediately and to report this to the coach in a timely manner for the safety of any child.

Never approach or speak with officials or opposing coaches; leave that to your coach.

Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.

Never ridicule or yell at your child and other children for making a mistake or losing a competition.

Show appreciation for good performance and skilful plays by all players (including opposing players).

Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.

Do not physically or verbally abuse anyone associated with the sport (player, coach, umpire etc).

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Support your club either as a volunteer or paid volunteer, whether it be in the snack bar, score tables, advertising for club or events, sponsors for club, events or event programs, and in the community.

Report any concerns your have regarding your child, someone else’s, or any actions by anyone within the club or outside that could either be a safety issue or something that might bring the club’s name into disrepute.