HaBaWaBa

What is HaBaWaBa?

The game of the ball in the water

The name

Happy Baby Water Ball

HaBaWaBa is an acronym for Happy Baby Water Ball, words that stand for a child’s joy in the “game with the ball in the water”: for us, playing and having fun are the same thing. HaBaWaBa means first of all the game invented by Waterpolo Development, and also the universe of people, events and meetings that grew out of it over the years. The aim is one: to spread the love of water polo across the five continents and, with it, the values of sport and of living together.

Aims

  1. The ball in blue water attracts both children who cannot swim and those who have learned to swim, so they do not leave the pool early for other sports.
  2. Small spaces and inexpensive equipment justify a pool’s budget when it organises water polo schools.
  3. Between the ages of 6 and 11, water and ball together are the only way for aquatic sports to compete with other sports that draw children through play.
  4. Involving families creates spectators, fans and potential officials.

Fun and ethics

HaBaWaBa wants to teach children the true ethical value of sport through events in which socialising and respect for the opponent come first, and competition becomes a meeting between cultures. For this reason Waterpolo Development wrote an ethical code, the Champion Passport, for the children’s education.

Through HaBaWaBa events children meet the values of sport: teamwork, loyalty, sacrifice, work ethic and mental determination, all important for building character. They also meet Fair Play, and values such as honesty, responsibility and respect for opponents, teammates and referees.

The rules of HaBaWaBa

The rules of HaBaWaBa come from a simplification of the official water polo rules, adapted for U9, U11 and U13 competitions. In U9 and U11, teams may be boys only, girls only or mixed. In U13 they are boys only.

Maximum field
25 x 15 m
Minimum field
20 x 10 m
Goal
2.15 m x 0.75 m
Ball
Official ball, size 3
Periods
2 periods of 10 minutes, with a 3-minute interval
Players
6 in the water (5 plus the goalkeeper) and 9 substitutes
Teams
From 8 players up to a maximum of 15

Common questions

What is the HaBaWaBa International Festival?

The biggest youth water polo event in the world: for U9, U11 and U13, held every year in Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD) and drawing teams from five continents.

When is the next Festival?

From 13 to 20 June the week for U9 and U11, from 20 to 27 June the week for U13.

Do boys and girls play together?

U9 and U11 tournaments include girls’, boys’ and mixed teams. The U13 event is split into a girls-only tournament and one for boys-only or mixed teams.

How do you enter the Festival?

Open the page of the event for your team (U9-U11 or U13) and follow the Registration Guide: it contains the information, duties, costs and deadlines. A club can enter more than one team in a single tournament.

Where do teams stay during the Festival?

Teams, made up of players, coaches and officials, all stay inside Bella Italia & EFA Village. Parents, family and supporters travelling with the team can enter the village by paying admission.

What is the Champion’s Passport?

It is a code of ethics: the values of sport to respect in order to be part of the HaBaWaBa community.

What is the aim of the HaBaWaBa project?

To spread the values of sport among children and create a deep bond with water polo through an unforgettable experience.

All questions

Register for the festival.

Register
HaBaWaBa mascot