On Saturday, May 22nd, we are pleased to introduce the return of Elite Polo's Shooting & Goalie Clinic.  For six hours, a small group of only thirty players will have the opportunity to work on shooting in the most comprehensive manner.  Under the direction of NCAA greats Matt Flesher and Krsto Sbutega, our campers will work on every aspect of shooting in a personal, intimate setting.  This shooting clinic will provide each and every camper with the information and instruction they require to raise their game.

A small group of only 15 goalies will be provided the opportunity to work one-on-one with 2-Time NCAA Player of the Year, Matt Swanson .  A 3-time All-American at UCLA and 2-Time NCAA Tournament MVP, Matt will provide all goalies with a personlized day of instruction to take their game to the next level.

Elite Camp Staff

MATT FLESHER

HEAD ASST. COACH, UC BERKELEY GOLDEN BEARS

HEAD ASST. COACH, UCLA BRUINS, 2005-2009

5-TIME NCAA CHAMPION

3-TIME NCAA ALL-AMERICAN

Matt Flesher, a standout water polo player at UCLA who has been an assistant coach for both the Bruins' men's and women's water polo programs the past four years, is the new head assistant coach for the Cal women's water polo team.

This past Flesher helped guide the UCLA women to their fifth consecutive NCAA title with a 5-4 victory over No. 1 seed USC. In his three seasons working with the Bruin women, UCLA compiled a 93-8 record, including a perfect 33-0 mark in 2008. During Flesher's time assisting the Bruins, two players were the recipients of the Peter J. Cutino Award (named after the legendary Cal men's water polo coach) as the national player of the year, 17 players were named All-Americans and 21 athletes were selected All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

In assisting the UCLA men's water polo program, Flesher helped the Bruins to a 75-29 mark from 2005-08, coaching 19 players who were selected All-American and All-MPSF. In 2006, he was the head coach of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club's 16-Under boy's team that won the U.S. Water Polo National Championship.

As a collegiate player from 1999-2002, Flesher was a member of UCLA's back-to-back national champions in 1999 and 2000. He was a two-time All-American and was twice named All-MPSF, finishing his college career with 81 goals. Flesher earned his degree in political science from UCLA in 2002.

Prior to coaching at UCLA, Flesher spent three seasons as a member of the U.S. National Team, competing at the 2003 World University Games and helping Team USA qualify for the 2005 World Championships. He also competed professionally for the Greek team, Ethnikos-Pireaus, in 2003 and 2004. Flesher was the head boy's swimming coach and assistant boy's water polo coach at Corona Del Mar High School in 2004-05 as well.

KRSTO SBUTEGA

2008 PETE CUTINO AWARD FINALIST

2008 1ST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

3-TIME ALL-AMERICAN

CURRENT MEMBER, MONTENEGRO NATIONAL TEAM

5TH ALL-TIME, SCORING, UCLA

Krsto Sbutega has just completed a career at UCLA that will forever cement his place as one of the Bruin greats.  Sbutega was prolific around the cage in his four-year career as he scored 143 goals, placing him 5th all-time in the UCLA record books.  For his efforts this past fall, Krsto was named 1st Team All-America by the ACWPC.  Furthermore, Krsto's efforts have rewarded him with a trip to the Olympic Club this June as he will be one of three candidates up for the Pete Cutino Award, which is presented each year to the nation's best water polo player.

Sbutega has scored no less than 30 goals in each of the last three seasons.  This past fall, Krsto netted a team high of 50 goals, making him the first Bruin since Brett Ormsby (2004 US Olympian) to score 50 or more goals in a season. 

Slight in stature (6 feet tall), Krsto's ability to score at the Division I and international level is a direct result of his concentration on shooting.  His ability to manipulate defenses and goalies has been proven in any scenario:  front court, isloation, counter attack, 6-on-5, bad angle and penalty shots.  We are excited for Krsto to be a part of the Elite Polo staff this summer and know his experience and skill will enhance that of any player.

MATT SWANSON

1995 & 1996 NCAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1995 & 1996 NCAA TOURNAMENT MVP

3-TIME ALL-AMERICAN

2-TIME NCAA CHAMPION, UCLA BRUINS

In charge of the goalies this weekend will be UCLA Bruin great Matt Swanson.  Matt anchored NCAA Champion UCLA in 1995 & 1996.  His storied performance versus USC in the 1996 championship game closed out a collegiate career second to none.  Along with a second NCAA title, Matt also earned his second NCAA Division I Player of the Year award.  Coach Swanson is the only goalie in history to be two-time national player of the year.  A three-time All-American, Matt was also recently named to the MPSF 15th Anniversary Water Polo Team.

Matt has played at all levels domestically and internationally.  After graduating college, Coach Swanson was selected as one of 13 members to play for the United States University Team and his resume also includes a gold medal from the 1995 Olympic Festival.  His involvement with the US National Team has also taken Matt to such locations as Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Japan.

Currently, Matt resides in Marin County and is head water polo coach for both Sir Francis Drake High School and Sleepy Hollow Water Polo Club.  Matt is a valued member of the Elite Polo staff and we are honored to have him on staff for this upcoming camp.