In and out of the pool, the NPHS Boys’ Varsity Water Polo team is rebuilding. After graduating 11 seniors last year, a quarter of the players who regularly compete at the varsity level are new to the team. Rather than focusing on age or experience, the team is rebuilding around a culture of inclusion, starting with making freshmen feel like part of the group
Leading the team is Izzy de Souza in her third season as head coach. After finishing her playing career at California Lutheran University, de Souza has made team chemistry a priority as a younger roster adjusts to varsity competition.
“The team is going to houses and having team dinners, they’re going to team breakfasts after morning practices, they’re going to Kings games […] and they do these things because they genuinely enjoy being around each other,” de Souza said.
The philosophy of mutual support is echoed by captain Jack Jennings, junior, who has been a varsity player since his freshman year. Now in a leadership role, Jennings wants younger players to feel supported rather than pressured to compete against their teammates for playing time. Instead, he encourages players to view each other’s improvement as a shared success.
“Just to constantly see them improve and just grow a love of the sport is what I appreciate seeing,” Jennings said.
For sophomore captain James Stone, leadership means helping younger players feel like part of the team. In his second varsity season, Stone has made an effort to step up more, and has taken it upon himself to help the freshmen feel more comfortable within the group.
“The team bonding is really there, and we’re pretty focused and ready to work,” Stone said.
With every practice, every lap in the pool and every scrimmage, the team shows that its strongest asset goes beyond just athletic ability. By welcoming new players and creating a culture centered on confidence, support and inclusion, the players hope to carry those values with them through the rest of their season and beyond.
“They’re not just teammates, and that’s one of their greatest strengths that I’m trying to get them to understand and lean into,” de Souza said. “They’re privileged enough to have this as some of their first team experiences ever, not realizing that this is out of the norm.”
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