Advantage ,
TIGERS !
North Allegheny water polo team builds upon a tradition of success .
BY JENNIFER BROZAK
By combining aspects of soccer , basketball , swimming and hockey into one game , water polo is one of the most thrilling sports to participate in and watch — and the Tiger Water Polo Club team is no exception .
Founded approximately 10 years ago , it is a youth club for athletes age 16 and under . The club was launched after Kirk “ Corky ” Semler , a PA High School Hall of Fame swimming coach , established the North Allegheny High School boys and girls water polo teams . The foundation of Tiger Water Polo originated in the 1980s , with the launch of the Pittsburgh Renegades Water Polo Club , and many of the original “ Renegades ” still serve as team mentors and coaches . Its primary pool location is the North Allegheny High School pool ; as such , the program has a close relationship with North Allegheny athletics .
“ NA Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto has been very supportive of our growth and efforts ,” says Jim Staresinic , coach and club president .
The success of the program builds upon the impressive background of its coaches . The team ’ s head coach and programs coordinator , Nikola Malezanov , is also the head coach of the North Allegheny varsity teams . He served as assistant coach for the U . S . Naval Academy Water Polo program as well as with the Navy Water Polo Club . Malezanov also works with the USA Water Polo Development and National Team programs . He served as USA National Team assistant coach at the 2011 World League in Costa Mesa , Calif ., and also in 2009 at the World University Games in Belgrade , Serbia . Malezanov began his career as a youth player in Serbia , where he spent 10 years honing his skills before becoming a coach .
“ He built his coaching skills under the tutelage of some of Serbia ’ s and Europe ’ s top coaches . Through his early years as a coach , he coached at many different levels , including professional teams ,” explains Staresinic , who has been with the club for seven years . “ Some of Nikola ’ s players have reached the highest level of the sport , including one player from his hometown of Nis , Serbia , who played in the Olympics this year for the Serbian National Team .”
Today , Malezanov , who ’ s been with the club for five years , is considered one of the top coaches in the United States .
“ I believe that coaches leave a mark in one child ’ s development both as athletes as well as people ,” says Malezanov . “ I hope my influence on their development is positive .”
In addition to its standout coaching staff , numerous club players have achieved
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