My name is Rachel Smart and I'm 13 years old.

When I first started water polo I was given a Rari Nantes professional Italian water polo suit which planted a dream to play in Italy. I have an opportunity to go play in Camogli Italy.

I also dream of playing on the USA national team. Achieving these dreams will take a lot of discipline and hard work. And a lot of money that I do not have! I need help :)

@ OLYMPIC Development #83

I understand the commitment and the hard work it takes to make my dreams come true. I am training up to 6 days a week. From 2 to 5 hours per practice. To get all the hours in the pool (17-20 a week); I practice with 14, 16, and 18-year-old boys and also girls on my teams. Often I am the only female practicing with the 18 boys' team. My life revolves around water polo and school. I would have it no other way!

I have been given three amazing opportunities that I need financial assistance to achieve in the 2023 season; (1) to go to Italy for a water polo training camp with my team; through the Azevedo organization, Tony Azevedo was a USA Olympic great; (2) to play ODP (Olympic Development) for the Coastal Region; (3) and to try out for the National Team in my age group in March in Livermore March 23-26.

About me and water polo

I’ve been playing water polo for 3 years.

I started playing water polo during the pandemic when there were few other extracurricular activities options. I was having a difficult time emotionally because I felt lonely. Water polo helped me solve this problem. Now I fit perfectly with water polo, sometimes you know when something is right!

Me shooting at a tournament

My Neighbor Lucy (Windes) Severens played water polo at LMU and had been the school’s leading scorer. She gave me the initial exposure to the game.

In the beginning, I played for two seasons at Trojan Water Polo Club. For many reasons, the club was not the best fit for me. Over this period, my family became friends with Robert Lynn, a three-time Olympian, and once leading scorer at USC for over 20 years.

Robert began coaching my brother and I last year, allowing us to join his high school club practice in addition to our club practices.

Last year when I left Trojan water polo club I became under Robert’s training exclusively.

I recently joined the Palos Verdes water polo club.

It is my dream to excel on my Palos Verdes club girl teams (14, 16, and maybe 18 girls), my coastal Olympic development team, and work my way onto the National Team

I play Set. Which is like a center in basketball. It is physical and hard. I often get double and triple-teamed by the opposite team. I have become a known entity in the water polo community in my age group. Girls from clubs all over California and beyond come up and give me hugs every time we play.

Me catching the ball

I know this is my sport.

To achieve these goals I need to raise support of about $12,000 *** This is if I am going to Italy un-chaperoned by my mom and if I do not make the national team.

If I achieve the (1) national team and (2) my mom chaperone me to Italy, I need to raise an additional $5000 each, or a total of $10,000.

My total goal for this go fund me is $22,000.

I have been given access to coaches that are the best in the country.

I would love to continue growing as much as possible and develop my skills in water polo, leadership, and overall character.

Me shooting

I dream of getting a college Scholarship for playing water polo. Hopefully to an IVY league school like Stanford, Harvard, or Princeton.

And someday if possible I hope you see me in the Olympics.

Right now I'm trying to raise as much money as possible.

I promise the money will be spent respectfully and responsibly towards my development and growth.

You helping me means the world to me. I would also appreciate your prayers for this journey.

I am grateful for your taking the time to read this. And I would feel extra grateful if you shared this with other people.

Without your financial support, my goals are not possible.