Water Polo #229170

It was not for this reason, as may be easily imagined, that the game was first promoted, but merely for the purpose of providing something new and attractive in aquatic sports; and with this view, on May 12, 1870, a committee was appointed by the London Swim ming Association, to draw up a code of rules for the management Of the game of foot ball in the water. Prior to 1870, various attempts were made by individual swimmers to arrange some kind of ball game in the water, and at many entertainments and swimming matches what was termed water hand ball was played, the sides usually consisting of not more than three players.