<P> By the 1880s , the game stressed swimming , passing , and scoring by shooting into a goal net ; players could only be tackled when holding the ball and could not be taken under water . Canada was one of the first countries outside Britain to adopt the sport . The Montreal Swimming Club which had formed in 1876 formed a water polo team in 1887 and games were played in the St. Lawrence River along the shore of St. Helen 's Island . To deal with constant changes in rules , in 1888 , the London Water Polo League was founded and approved rules to allow team competition , forming the foundation of the present game . The first English championships were played in 1888 . In 1890 , the first international water polo game was played ; Scotland defeated England , 4 -- 0 . </P>
<P> By the 1880s , the game stressed swimming , passing , and scoring by shooting into a goal net ; players could only be tackled when holding the ball and could not be taken under water . Canada was one of the first countries outside Britain to adopt the sport . The Montreal Swimming Club which had formed in 1876 formed a water polo team in 1887 and games were played in the St. Lawrence River along the shore of St. Helen 's Island . To deal with constant changes in rules , in 1888 , the London Water Polo League was founded and approved rules to allow team competition , forming the foundation of the present game . The first English championships were played in 1888 . In 1890 , the first international water polo game was played ; Scotland defeated England , 4 -- 0 . </P>
when was the first water polo game played
when was the first water polo game played
1887
1887