LANSING, Mich.-The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is pleased to welcome USA Water Polo and the Midwest Girls Water Polo Junior Olympic Qualification Tournament to the Greater Lansing community. The event, to be held at East Lansing High School from June 25-27, 2010 is the largest Water Polo tournament in the Midwest and is a first-time event for the Capital region.


Fifteen teams from across the Midwest will travel to the area for the event and according to Ron Marsh, Director of local club and tournament participant Spartan Water Polo, the long-time California-sport is gaining popularity in cold weather states like Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.


"This 2010 Midwest Olympic Qualifier is the tip of the iceberg for events like this for the Greater Lansing region," said Marsh. "With the popularity of water polo growing like mad throughout the Midwest and Greater Lansing's central location I can see events like this, and bigger, headed to this community."


The Greater Lansing Sports Authority has worked closely with Marsh and USA Water Polo to secure the first-time event for the region. Mike Price, Manager of Sports Development for the GLSA, agrees with Marsh that the sport is growing in popularity and feels the Greater Lansing region has the venues, lodging and entertainment options to make the tournament a success.


"We are very pleased to host this event and look forward to the growth of the sport in the area," said Price. "We encourage folks to come out to East Lansing High School from June 25-27th to see some great competition. The 15-team tournament will play around 50 total games so there will be plenty of opportunity to catch an exciting glimpse of this fast-growing sport."


Water polo matches will occur continually from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 25, 26 and 27 and patrons can expect a nominal admission fee.


For more information on the GLSA visit http://www.lansingsports.org/ or view our Facebook fanpage at facebook.com/greaterlansingsportsauthority.


The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is a division of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. The GLSA's mission is to be the leading voice of sports tourism in the Greater Lansing area and to promote economic growth by attracting a diverse range of sporting events to the region. The GLSA will strive to enhance the quality of life for area residents through the development of local sports and fitness programs for all ages, and to support the continued development and maintenance of safe, high-quality athletic facilities.


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