Why Play Water Polo?
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HAVE FUN
It combines the best of swimming, basketball, lacrosse, and wrestling. The most fun you can have in the water. The game is easy to learn but takes a lifetime to master. |
GET FIT
Water polo is a great way to get in shape. You don't have to be fit to start, but you are guaranteed to be in no time. It's excellent cross training for other sports. Ask us about our numerous success stories. Considered to be the toughest sport in the world by Bleacher Report, water polo builds strength, endurance, speed, and burns 600 calories per hour. |
TEAM PLAY
Water polo builds life skills like teamwork, trust, and leadership that will serve kids well in and out of the pool. Teams can bond so much that lifelong friendships are the sports greatest gift. |
ZILLA SAFETY POLICY
At Zilla Water Polo, we prioritize the safety and security of our athletes, parents, and volunteers. We have a dedicated Safety Committee who are trained to address any safety or security concerns that may arise. We encourage everyone in our organization to report any incidents or issues to our Safety Committee, who will take appropriate action to ensure the well-being of all involved. Please direct any concerns that you may have to the Safety Committee Members: Mary Pritzlaff ([email protected]); Lilliath Gorbunov ([email protected]) or Pascal Cohen-Hadria ([email protected]).
Meet Our Coaches
Our players benefit from coaches with decades of experience coaching players in Texas, California, and Colorado. They have coached kids at all levels from beginners to national level water polo players.
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Pascal Cohen-Hadria, "Coach Squish"
Pascal played water polo at Homestead High School in California, the University of Colorado, and on several masters teams. With over 20 years of coaching experience, he has coached high school teams in California and Texas, and college teams at the University of Colorado and University of Texas. His college teams made 2 CWPA National Championship appearances. He currently focuses on age group polo in the Austin area. In 2015 coach Pascal was awarded the top boys Developmental Coach in Texas. Pascal is the founder of Zilla Water Polo. |
Jim Browarski, "Coach J-Money"
Coach Jim has been coaching at Zilla Water Polo for 5 years. In addition, he was an assistant coach at Westwood High School for 2 seasons. He is known for his high energy and sense of humor.
Prior to arriving in Austin, Coach Jim coached numerous kids and adult sports teams in Santa Barbara for 17 years.
Coach Jim was voted the USA Water Polo Southwest Zone Volunteer of the Year in 2022-2023 for his work with Zilla and the water polo community.
Coach Jim has 2 sons aged 17 and 15 playing for Zilla Water Polo.
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Chris Rubbo
Coach Rubbo is the lead strategy and development coach for Zilla. With over three decades of dedication to water polo, Coach Rubbo is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in developing players of all ages. His unique approach blends the precision and discipline of a black belt in Kung Fu with the finesse and strategy required in water polo. Coach Rubbo seamlessly integrates his extensive experience, fostering not only athletic prowess but also instilling essential life skills in his players. Coach Rubbo is directing the newly established Zilla All Star Academy (ZASA). This is invite-only for players looking to accelerate their skill development. Coach Rubbo played at Orange Glenn HS in Escondido, CA. He was also team captain for Palomar College in California, while achieving 2nd Team All-Conference. He continues to compete in masters level water polo. His extensive coaching experience includes Orange Glenn HS varsity coach (1997-2000) and Valley Center HS varsity coach (2001-2003) where he started the varsity program and led them to the CIF Playoffs in just 2-years. He led the Colorado State University team (2011-2013). Besides coaching at Zilla since 2019, he also founded the Northern Colorado Water Polo Club (2012-2014). Coach Rubbo is also a black belt in White Dragon Kung Fu (2003-present). Coach Rubbo has one son playing for Zilla Water Polo. |
Greg McNelis
Coach Greg has been with Zilla for 9+ years and coached for 5+ years. His extensive experience makes him an invaluable asset to our team. He shows his commitment and interest in each and every kid, making him a player favorite.
Greg is always positive with each player, bringing the best out of them both in and out of the pool.
Greg has also been heavily involved with coaching and promoting McAllum HS water polo for the last 5 years and most recently coached for the area's HS consolidated team.
Greg has 3 kids that are and have played for Zilla Water Polo.
Coach Greg has been with Zilla for 9+ years and coached for 5+ years. His extensive experience makes him an invaluable asset to our team. He shows his commitment and interest in each and every kid, making him a player favorite.
Greg is always positive with each player, bringing the best out of them both in and out of the pool.
Greg has also been heavily involved with coaching and promoting McAllum HS water polo for the last 5 years and most recently coached for the area's HS consolidated team.
Greg has 3 kids that are and have played for Zilla Water Polo.
Mohammad Bayat
Coach Mohammad qualified for the Iranian Junior National team at the age of 16. He helped lead the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2018 Asian Junior Championships in Uzbekistan. He also competed at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Kuwait.
He was promoted to the Iranian Senior National Team after just one year. He just missed the Asian Championships due to Covid.
Mohammad was recruited by Ottawa University in Arizona. He moved to Austin last year and has been part of Zilla ever since. He is now our goalies coach, developing players at all levels. His international experience and tutorage under several high-level Olympians, makes him an invaluable addition to our club.
Coach Mohammad qualified for the Iranian Junior National team at the age of 16. He helped lead the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2018 Asian Junior Championships in Uzbekistan. He also competed at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Kuwait.
He was promoted to the Iranian Senior National Team after just one year. He just missed the Asian Championships due to Covid.
Mohammad was recruited by Ottawa University in Arizona. He moved to Austin last year and has been part of Zilla ever since. He is now our goalies coach, developing players at all levels. His international experience and tutorage under several high-level Olympians, makes him an invaluable addition to our club.
Zilla Goals
Program
Who makes the ideal water polo player?
- Teach our players how to play winning water polo and maximize their potential in the sport.
- Develop young men and women by teaching life lessons and applying them to the sport of Water Polo.
- Grow water polo throughout Austin and Texas.
- Provide fitness and competitive opportunities for all ages and skill levels.
- Have fun and develop lifelong friendships!
Program
- Zilla is a year-round water polo program for both boys and girls.
- We train kids from 8 years old through high school seniors.
- Although we mostly compete in local and state tournaments, we do regularly attend out of state competitions.
- We do compete in master's tournaments.
Who makes the ideal water polo player?
- Willingness to try something new and challenging and to push yourself to get better
- No experience necessary, but must be able to swim 100 yards within 3 minutes and 30 seconds
- A combination of swimming ability and some team sport experience is a plus
- Team players
