Coach John Trimble started playing water polo in Gainesville with the local adult team in late 2012. Around January 2013 he realized there was no opportunity for local kids and students to discover and play the sport, and the idea for Gator Water Polo was born. John set out to start a club team in Gainesville, with the ultimate goal of a team at every high school in the city. David Huelsman joined immediately on hearing about the idea, was pivotal in getting the club's first practices running in April 2013, and independently ran the club through that first summer.