On The Record with Paul Roberts at the 2019 USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics

A curious—but necessary pregame ritual for referees: checking players' nails. Photo Courtesy: M. Randazzo

IRVINE, CA. The USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics—or JOs, as they’re commonly called—are a crossroad of distinct polo ages, eras and experiences. This was particularly so at Portola High School for the opening day of Session One, where Paul Roberts—known as “P.R.”—was patrolling the pool deck in his official whites, refereeing matches between 12U boys teams from East and West.

Distinctly adorned with multi-colored lanyards and impressive mustache, Roberts—who spoke of being involved in the sport for 46 years—epitomizes a devotion to polo that is distinctly Californian. Identified as a game official with the Southern California Aquatic Federation for the past 20 years, for at least a decade he served as head coach to the women’s at Cypress College in Cypress, California.

[2019 USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics: By The Numbers]

While at Cypress, he crossed paths with Bernice Orwig, who left the junior college for opportunities at USC—including a national championship in 1999. Orwig, who would go on to backstop the U.S. team to silver in the inaugural women’s Olympic water polo tournament at the Sydney Games, was also the first female recipient of the Cutino Award.

Following retirement from coaching at Cypress in 2011, Roberts has stayed in the game through youth water polo clinics and continued service as referee. In between 12U matches at Portola, he expounded on his life-long love affair with the sport.

– You’ve had a long and distinguished history with water polo in America.

I’ve been part of USA Water Polo and water polo on the high school and college level since 1972. That’s a long time being around it as a coach and a player. I’m based now out of Los Angeles. I used to be based out of Orange County. The club that I ran and owned was Cypress Polo Club in the city of Cypress.

– And now you’re on the pool deck as a referee. for the 50th Anniversary of the national Junior Olympics. What memories stand out for you from JOs?

Paul “P.R.” Roberts. Photo Courtesy: M. Randazzo

As a young player at 18 playing against our national team for the very first time—[it] was really a highlight and a scary experience to play against Olympians. That’s when I was playing for Cypress. It was a big thrill as I got to play a couple of years against them in tournaments. It taught me a lot and it was a lot of fun.

[This was] 1974, 75, 76.

– That was a transitional time for the U.S. men’s team which did not go to the 1976 Olympics.

As a young player—I know you’re adult at 18—[but] playing against Olympians for the first time—these were the guys I idolized. Jim Kruse was my favorite player growing up, and to play against him the first time… it was a thrill.

We played in tournaments [with] Canada and Mexico—teams that internationally were travelling around.

– How did your team do?

Oh, we got our butts kicked every game. The first game it was just a thrill to be out there. The second year that we played against them I actually blocked a shot by Kruse and stole the ball from him. he then swam over and looked like he was going to tear me apart [but] the referee excluded him.

I just looked up and said: Thank you!

U.S. men’s team at 1975 Pan Am Games. Photo Courtesy: Water Polo Legends

You remember those moments. Guy Antley, the goalie—we used to call him “JC” for Jesus Christ because he could walk on water, he was just amazing. Just living those moments and being part of it… you learn things from better players. You learn things from defeats. If you’re beating everyone all the time, you’re not learning a lot—and you can get stagnant.

If you can take a defeat every now and then—especially one that you’re butt’s been kicked—you can ask: What did I learn from this? That’s how you improve your skills.

– You’re out here in the hot sun refereeing 14U and 12U matches. What keeps the passion for polo alive for you?

Water polo’s always been a big part of my life. I’ve been 46 years in aquatics. To be part of that, you’re always outdoors—I love it [out here]; heat doesn’t bother me. And, it’s a game. Swimming to me got to be boring—like in track. I competed in both of those sports growing up. It’s you and a clock.

Here you get to be part of a team, and I have teammates that go back to when I was in high school and college—we still stay in touch with each other. The bonds and the friendships you make playing this sport can last a lifetime.

I’m always drawn back to [polo]; I’ve been through the years where it was five fouls to foul out of the game—they wanted to keep some of the star players [in the water].

Action at Portola High School. Photo Courtesy: Artem Zinger

Changing the rules through all the progressions that water polo has gone [through] over the years.

Becoming an official, I had officials come to the college where I was coaching and ask me: Do you want to do this someday? I said: No! I don’t want to do that!

Actually, [my coaching] ended up making me a better official. And made me a better coach. Jim Cullingham, who’s one of my mentors—and one of the guys who asked me—he’s here, doing the 12 and unders in the other pool. So it’s good to catch up with him in the meeting [before the tournament].

Water polo’s been great, and if you love the outdoors, like to watch kids develop, to become better players… and one day I hope to see our kids and our men’s national program where we’re competing for gold medals in the Olympics.

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