OAK BROOK, IL — The DuPage Sports
Commission and FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park today announced another
national championship event on its way to DuPage County, signing an agreement
with USA Water Polo to host the 2022 Kap7 Champions Cup, its return in 2024, as
well as a 2024 USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program National
Championship. All three events will bring elite water polo athletes from around
the United States to DuPage County.
"I was born in former
Yugoslavia, a region that to this day remains a powerhouse in water polo,"
said Igor Bakovic, Director of Sports for the DuPage Sports Commission. "I
have a passion for the sport and jumped at the opportunity to have it here in
DuPage. The USA Water Polo programs are exceptional — USA Women have won the
last three Olympic gold medals and USA Men are proving a formidable force with
the program on the rise."
Taking place November 4-6, 2022, the
Kap7 Champions Cup is a three-day event with competition in two divisions, with
the best youth water polo players going for gold in the girls and boys
divisions. Champions Cup is specifically for athletes that are 14 years and
younger, and in 8th Grade or under. The event is anticipated to feature
approximately 24 teams and 480 athletes. In 2024, the USA Water Polo Olympic
Development Program will draw at least 900 18 and under athletes in the Youth,
Cadet, and Development levels, as over the course of three days they train with
the goal to represent USA Water Polo in domestic and international competition.
"USA Water Polo is so excited to
bring three premier events to DuPage County and the Midwest where there is an
undeniable passion for the sport of water polo," said USA Water Polo Chief
Growth Officer Ryan Cunnane. "To be able to host the events at a facility
like the FMC Natatorium is an ideal scenario. We are so appreciative of the
efforts of the staff at the DuPage Sports Commission and the FMC Natatorium to
help set the stage for these competitions. With a tremendous history of water
polo, the state of Illinois is only primed for even greater growth of the game
and these events help us accomplish two key goals – hosting exceptional events
and increasing water polo opportunities nationwide."
Both the Champions Cup and Olympic
Development Program will be hosted at FMC Natatorium, which opened in 2020 and
is widely considered in line with the top 10 indoor facilities in the country.
Meticulously designed by founder MaryAnn Kaufman, the natatorium offers a
nine-lane competition pool, eight-lane training pool, four locker rooms,
moveable bulkheads, and seating for 1,200.
On-site parking provides more than 300 spots with an additional 200
spots at Ty Warner Park and street parking as well. Close to major highways and
many fine hotels and restaurants, FMC offers an incomparable visitor
experience. "I look forward to our new relationship with USA Water Polo
and its athletes," said Kaufman.
More details on the 2022 Kap7
Champions Cup including an event schedule, tickets, and live streaming
information will be available in the coming months. Bakovic anticipates a warm
welcome for USA Water Polo from the DuPage community. "Water polo has a
large following in the Midwest, including here in DuPage," said Bakovic.
"This was a natural fit for the DuPage community. Thank you to John Abdou,
Ryan Cunnane, and USA Water Polo for sharing our vision and working with us to
make this happen."
About the DuPage Sports Commission
Created by the not-for-profit
organization DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB), the DuPage Sports
Commission (DSC) was founded in 2019 to harness the power of sports tourism on
behalf of the County's 38 communities and one million residents. The DSC is
uniquely positioned to advocate for and actively impact the health of DuPage
communities through strategic growth as an amateur, youth and professional
sporting destination. For more information, visit
www.DuPageSportsCommission.com.
About FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner
Park
FMC Natatorium, located in the
community of Westmont at Ty Warner Park, offers a wide range of options for
swimmers ranging from infant self-rescue lessons to USA Masters swimmers with a
lifetime of experience. In addition,
private and group swim lessons are available, as well as stroke clinics, aqua
fitness classes, and summer swim camps. The facility is open to the public and
provides access to lessons for everyone.
About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national
governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic
program as well as 20 different championship events annually, such as Junior
Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 50,000 members,
USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more
than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the
sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a
national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more
information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org.
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