<div>My name is <strong>Diego Alejandro Matheus Becerra</strong> — a professional water polo coach, industrial engineer graduated from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, former member of the national team, and a passionate advocate for athlete development and social progress through sports. From a very young age, I discovered that water polo was much more than a sport — it was a way to teach values, discipline, and leadership. That passion brought me to the United States, where today I have the privilege of dedicating my life to what I love most: coaching, teaching, and building projects that create a positive impact both in and out of the water.

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<div>I am raising funds to help cover the legal fees for my “extraordinary ability” green card. This visa will allow me to continue living and working in the U.S. so I can carry on my mission of uplifting and improving our community through my work.

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<div>Over the years, I have worked hand in hand with young athletes, helping them believe in their potential, compete with discipline, and understand that victory is not only achieved in the pool, but also in the mind and the soul. I have led teams to championships, yes, but more importantly, I have helped shape individuals who proudly embody the values of hard work and excellence.

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<div>My methodology combines the intensity of high-performance training with the Latin spirit — that spark that motivates, inspires, and leaves a mark. My work goes beyond daily practice: I have also developed educational content and digital projects that promote the growth of water polo and youth sports nationwide. One example is my personal Instagram page, where I share videos demonstrating basic and accessible exercises for athletes of all levels, always aiming to teach and inspire.

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<div>Since the age of 19, I have been dedicated to teaching swimming, working with children as young as three and adults over sixty, which has helped me develop strong teaching skills and adaptability across different levels. As a player, I represented Venezuela in two South American Championships, where both teams qualified for the Pan American tournaments, and I also competed in multiple tournaments in Florida, standing out as a Center Defender — a recognition I had also earned unofficially back in Venezuela.

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<div>My career as a coach includes experience with <strong>Orlando Thunder Water Polo Club</strong>, <strong>Olympia High School</strong>, and I was accepted as Head Coach in the <strong>Olympic Development Program – Southeast Zone</strong>, certified by <strong>USA Water Polo</strong>. I also worked as an assistant coach at a <strong>6-8 Sports</strong> camp alongside <strong>Tony Azevedo</strong>, the legendary player and CEO of the organization.

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<div>At Orlando Thunder, I have coached teams across multiple categories (12U Coed, 14U Coed, 14U Girls, 14U Boys, 16U Girls, 16U Boys, 18U Girls, and 18U Boys), achieving outstanding results: in 2024, we took three teams to Junior Olympics Session 3, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals. In 2025, we became the only club to have at least one team qualify for every session of the Junior Olympics, earning medals in Sessions 2 and 3 — and I personally coached in all of them.

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<div>Throughout these years, I have significantly improved the technical and strategic level of my athletes, providing game intelligence, in-water tactics, and sports IQ development to complement the club’s physical preparation program. In total, my athletes have won 32 medals, many of them first-place finishes.

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<div>As coach of Olympia High School, I lead a free community program for local children, aimed at helping them integrate into the club and continue developing their skills beyond the short three-month school season — because water polo is a sport that must be practiced year-round.

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<div>In addition, I am leading the creation of an <strong style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1rem;">adult water polo league</strong> in Florida — starting in Orlando — with the goal of strengthening the sport’s structure and offering competitive continuity for those who, after high school or college, wish to keep playing. This league seeks to keep the spirit of water polo alive, create opportunities for new generations, and foster a strong, inclusive, and active sports community.

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<div>The most beautiful part of all this is that I am already doing here what I want to keep doing. I am not here to start from zero — I am here to <strong>continue a mission</strong>: to contribute to the development of sport, character, and leadership within American society. My work promotes health, discipline, cultural integration, and the growth of a sport that still has so much room to flourish in this country.

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Diego Matheus

Kim Aiken

Anonymous

Catherine Hyder

Raquel Jimenez

Toral Palan

Benjamin Powell

Kathryn Quinlan

Sarah Arndt

Anastasia Becvar

Viviana Altesor

Khloe Riordan

Kalina Anderson

Holly Ann Gagne

sally miller

Elaine Lundberg

Cynthia Gale

Rachel Ogorodnik

Sean Fullerton

Ginger Kasper

Help support a Venezuelan coach with an American dream

Just $983$ to go! Make an impact.

Help support a Venezuelan coach with an American dream

Just $983 to go!
Make an impact.