About the Program
The Cardinal Water Polo Program is led by Head Coach Grant Miller.  Water Polo is currently a club sport at JPII with approximately 140 teams competing across Texas. We compete against both private and public schools, as well as consolidated school district teams. Previously, we have competed as a co-ed team but are in the process of creating both boys and girls teams. We currently have about 20 athletes in the program. Our season competes in the Spring. We practice at Oak Point Recreation Center in Plano on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6-7:30am during the season. In the offseason, the majority of our athletes are members of the swim team. Our games are traditionally scheduled for Saturdays.


Coaching Philosophy
My job as a coach is to provide athletes with the skills needed to achieve their level of success. To some, this means playing in college or with the national team. To others, this simply means getting physical exercise and the opportunity to learn a new sport. I am committed to helping every athlete reach their own personal goals. At the same time, my goal is that every player that comes through the JPII Water Polo program, learns skills that can be used in all aspects of life. These include working with others for a common goal, leadership, discipline, and perseverance.


Program Goals
With our program being so young, our short term goals are simple. We want to continue to grow as a team and help teach our student athletes about the sport of water polo. Many of our athletes come into this sport knowing little to nothing about it, since it is a relatively new sport in the state of Texas. Our goal is to provide game and skill knowledge in the pool. Out of the pool, our goal is to have our athletes use the discipline, hard work, and leadership skills learned from sports carry over into the classroom and community interaction. Our long term goals are to compete with the best teams in the state every season and provide our players with the opportunity to pursue water polo in college. Right now, we are laying the foundation for the long term goals of the program.


Program History
In 2018, John Paul II High School Water Polo was established. In our inaugural season, we had 13 players and competed in 2 tournaments to get the program off the ground. We finished the season with an 0-4 record. With the start of our second season coming this spring, we have grown in players and experience. We will be competing in 6 tournaments this season with the hope of establishing a separate boys and girls team.