Water Polo Training Trip
Rome
Italy
Summer 2025
This training trip will allow age group athletes to combine the highest level of water polo competition with unforgettable cultural experiences. The camp is especially opportune for those participating in the HabaWaba Tournament in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy
Cristiano Mirarchi
Training sessions will take place at Italy’s most coveted high performance facility: Centro Federale “Valco San Paolo.” The trip will connect athletes to renowned water polo coaches and professional players. The athletes will also have the opportunity to compete against some of the nation’s best age group teams.
The trip will maintain a rigorous training schedule while setting aside time for athletes to visit as a group some of the city’s most famous attractions. These will include the Colosseum, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and many more.
Head Coach Maurizio Mirarchi
FACILITIES
Valco San Paolo is a world renowned aquatics centre in the city of Rome. Complete with indoor and outdoor pools, each 50 meters and all deep, Valco is the training facility for several of Rome’s top water polo clubs, including many of its national team.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive. Check into hotel. Group meeting with athletes and coaches. Gelato.
Day 2
Skills clinic at Valco San Paolo (2 hours), pizza lunch and group visit to the Colosseum. Gelato.
Day 3
Skills clinic at Valco San Paolo (2 hours), pasta lunch and group visit to the Spanish Steps. Scrimmage an Italian club in the evening (1.5 hours). Gelato.
Day 4
Skills clinic at Valco San Paolo (2 hours), Trapizzino , a roman street food, for lunch and then a group visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica. A visit to the Sistine Chapel is optional as is climbing to the very top (the cupola) of the basilica. Scrimmage Italian club team in the evening (1.5 hours). Gelato.
Day 5
Skills clinic at Valco San Paolo (2 hours). Group meeting with athletes and coaches. Gelato.
Several three-star hotel within walking distance to Valco San Paolo. Their rooms accommodate either two or three athletes. Breakfast included. Families are also welcome to make their own arrangements if traveling as a group.
TEAM
Maurizio Mirarchi is the head coach of Astra Nuoto, a leading club in the Italian first division (Series A1) in Rome. He is also the lead supervisor and coach of all Italian national female teams. Maurizio has extensive coaching experience with both female and male athletes from youth to professional levels. His highlights include 15 youth national titles in Italy. This includes the 2023 U20 National Title. He has also coached several Olympic athletes, such as Tamas Marcsz, Peter Hudnut, Federica Radicchi, and many more. Maurizio is the father of three.
Cristiano Mirarchi currently plays in the Italian first division (Series A1) with Astra Nuoto and has had an extensive professional career with Ortigia, BPM Milan, and Vis Nova Roma. Cri has played 50+ games with the Senior Italian National Team, including at the 2017 World championships in Budapest. He is the former captain of UCLA’s NCAA water polo team, where he won a national championship in 2014. Cri was also the captain of the Italian Youth National Teams at the World and European championships. Cri currently works for BancoBPM in Rome
Massimiliano Mirarchi played 100+ games for Italian youth national teams. This included winning a gold medal at the European championships in Stuttgart, Germany. He played NCAA water polo at Whittier College in Los Angeles, California (2014-2016) and then at Fordham University (2017) in New York City, where he earned All-American and All-Academic honors. Massi currently works in finance for Goldman Sachs in New York City.
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Kevin Lewis O’Neill is one of the trip’s two chaperones. Kevin is a university professor and dean in Toronto, with extensive travel and research experience in Rome. A member of the Mavericks Water Polo Club’s Board of Directors, Kevin played NCAA water polo at Fordham University in New York City (1996-2000).
Massimiliano Mirarchi
COST
The current projected cost of the training trip includes hotel, meals, ground transportation to and from the airport, pool fees, coaching fees, and administrative fees.