Warley Wasps Water POLO History

William Wilson 1877 - Inventor of Water POLO 

The earliest known documentation of modern water polo can be traced back to the late19th century and a man named William Wilson, a Scotsman renowned for his contributions to aquatic development. As a swimming coach, Wilson developed revolutionary techniques on efficiency and safety. As an iconoclastic engineer, however, he created what was first known as “aquatic football,” a form of soccer, rugby, wrestling, and American football — all while treading water.

The first game took place along the banks of the River Dee in Aberdeen, Scotland. It experienced a massive gain in popularity in the following years and was played throughout Great Britain in various loosely organized official capacities. Shortly thereafter, in 1885, the Swimming Association of Great Britain officially recognized the game and formalized the rules made by Wilson.

Americans played a similar game but with different rules that allowed rougher play, holding, and a submersible ball. The sport drew large national crowds and was frequently played in top venues, even earning a stage at New York City’s infamous Madison Square Garden. However, due to the differences in rules of play, the European nations did not compete in the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, and it was not until an international water polo committee was formed in 1929 that all nations formally agreed to a common set of rules.

The sport was among the original games to be introduced in the second modern Olympics in Paris in 1900. The sport first gained traction in Western Europe and continues to be largely dominated by these nations in modern international competition.