Water polo was initially a dangerous sport that first developed in the rivers and lakes of mid-19th century England as an aquatic version of rugby. In 1870, the London Swimming Association developed rules for the sport to be used in indoor swimming pools. Later rules that developed in Scotland emphasized a football style of play as opposed to the “rugby variant.” Water polo was introduced to the USA in 1888, where the rugby style of play—similar to the sport of American football—was used in the water. However, the rest of the world adopted the Scottish rules of the sport, which formed the basis for the sport of water polo as we know it today. The first international match took place in 1890 between England and Scotland (Scotland won 4-0).
