Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago Sponsor youth trip to national tournament

Chicago (July 23, 2009)—World Sport Chicago (WSC), the living legacy of Chicago’s Bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is sponsoring the 41-member Junior Olympic qualifying water polo team from the Chicago Park District on their trip to represent Chicago and compete at this year’s national event. The boy’s team will make their way to Stanford, California for the championships today and the girl’s team will follow next week on Friday, July 29.

As part of the sponsorship, WSC is covering travel and accommodation costs for the group, helping to make it possible for kids from north region pools at Portage Park and Riis Park, from the central region pool at Whitney Young High School and from south region pools at Curie High School and Mount Greenwood Park to participate in this exciting event.

“World Sport Chicago has increased the number of programs available to youth in the city and has expanded many other existing programs. We’re also honored to have the opportunity to send these deserving and hard-working youth athletes to the national championships,” said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago and director of sport for Chicago 2016. “We wish them luck in the tournament and are confident that they will represent Chicago well.”

The Chicago Park District Water Polo Club was formed in the fall of 2001 to give youth an opportunity to participate in the sport and to expand the program citywide. Youth compete in a variety of levels and age divisions, including 12 and under coed, 14 and under coed and 18 and under girls. The program has grown from 33 youth in the summer of 2005 to more than 150 youth, teens and adults this summer.

Assistant Director of Sports and Recreation for the Chicago Park District, Janet McDonough said, “Our goal is to give as many kids an opportunity to learn and gain experience playing the sport.”

The water polo club teams have held various tournaments and league play throughout the summer. During the year, the Park District offers many other opportunities for all ages and levels of water polo.

“World Sport Chicago’s contribution makes this trip possible for the athletes whose parents might have had difficulty raising the funds necessary for all the travel arrangements,” said McDonough. “The exposure the teams will have in a national tournament and the experiences they will gain will help spread the word about Park District programs and other programs in the Chicago area.”

The Junior Olympic Championship for water polo is a highly competitive annual event. This year’s event takes place from July 25 to August 2.

About Chicago 2016
Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee’s board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization’s chairman and CEO.

About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago’s international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago’s 2016’s Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy as a real agent of social change for the city. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board and Scott Myers serves as the executive director.


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