Montreal water polo athlete encourages young Black Canadians to make a splash in the sport

Montreal water polo athlete, Jason Joseph, has won multiple gold medals and is on his way to Argentina with his team this summer for the Youth World championships. His ultimate mission though, to empower and encourage other young Black Canadians to take part in the sport — Showing that they too can make a splash in water polo.

“I hope seeing me do this,” said Jason. “Could inspire you to try it at least once.”

“I’ve always been a kid that likes playing in the water,” said Jason. “I love team sports so water polo just fit that exact criteria.”

The 17-year-old’s shots –- powerful.

Jason says when he started out, he didn’t see himself represented in the sport –- and even after playing for nearly 10 years now, he thinks not much has changed.

“Honestly having a role model would have been great,” explained Jason. “But honestly, I’m inspired to be the role model for the next generations.”

His mother, proud he is a trailblazer.

“Water polo is another sport,” said Natasha Joseph. “There’s so many sports out there that you can play, don’t let your colour stop you.”

“Do whatever, do what your heart feels like doing.”

“Water polo is played in a deep pool, so at least two meters deep,” said Maxime Crevier, the Men’s Head Coach at CAMO Water Polo. “We play six on six plus a goalie on each side.”

“The goal is to put the ball in the net,” he explained. “We play four quarters of eight minutes.”

Jason and his mother. (Submitted by: Petrona Joseph)

Water polo athlete from Montreal, Jason Joseph, and his coach, Maxime Crevier, in 2023. (Credit: jason-joseph.ca)

“When you start water polo of course you need to learn how to swim,” explained Jason. “There’s also a technique called ‘eggbeater’ that lets you float in the water.”

“And of course well water polo is a ball sport,” he added. “You need to learn how to hold the ball and how to flick your wrist to shoot it and pass.”

In Calgary last year the CAMO Water Polo Club took home gold at the U17 Canada’s National Championship League’s Finals –- Jason was MVP of the tournament.

“The most impressive about Jason is his calm in the water,” said Crevier. “Like there’s nothing that makes him think twice.”

What he isn’t thinking twice about –- rocking the Youth World championships in Argentina in July with his teammates, who he considers family.

And hopes to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.

“Everybody can do this no matter like what ethnicity you are,” said Jason. “So just come try water polo.”