Guiding the Next Generation:
Meet Our Water Polo Coaches
Get to know the dedicated and experienced coaches guiding the San Francisco Water Polo Club athletes to success, both in and out of the pool.
16U/18U Boys Head Coach
John Roberts
John Roberts is the San Francisco Water Polo 14U Head Coach and an assistant coach with USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program Cadet Team. As varsity boys’ head coach at St. Ignatius College Preparatory, he led the team to CCS Division II and NorCal State titles in 2022, earning the CCS Championship Coach Award. A four-year player and senior-year team captain at Concordia University Irvine, John brings collegiate experience and championship coaching leadership to developing young athletes.
14U Boys Program Coach
Daniel Castagnola
Daniel Castagnola is the Head Coach of the College of San Mateo water polo and swimming programs and an Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach in the Pacific Zone. A former player at Concordia University Irvine, he brings collegiate playing experience and a strong Bay Area coaching background to San Francisco Water Polo Club, including coaching at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. His coaching emphasizes team culture, leadership, and encouraging young athletes to grow together in the sport. Daniel coaches SFWPC’s boys teams.
12U Co-Ed Head Coach
Luis Camino
Luis Camino Sosa brings experience in both Spanish and U.S. collegiate water polo. A native of Spain’s Canary Islands, he played center defense at Wagner College and earned multiple ACWPC All-Academic honors. Before joining Wagner, he competed in Spain’s national under-18 championships with Club Natación Las Palmas and was a four-time champion in Canary Islands leagues.
Girls Program Head Coach
Gina Castagnola
Gina Castagnola is an accomplished water polo coach with experience at the high school and national team levels. As head coach at St. Ignatius College Preparatory, she has guided the girls’ program to historic achievements, following two North Coast Section championships at Archie Williams. A former NCAA Division I player at Loyola Marymount University, Gina also serves as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s Cadet National Team, bringing extensive playing and coaching experience to developing young athletes. Gina was also named a 2026 Masters National Championship All-American.
Gina leads the coaching for all of SFWPC’s girls teams.
Girls Program Coach
Julia Cesnik
Julia Cesnik brings decades of competitive water polo experience to her coaching at St. Ignatius College Preparatory, following two seasons at Archie Williams. A four-year varsity player at UC Berkeley and senior-year co-captain, she earned MPSF All-Tournament and Honorable Mention recognition. A former high school First Team All-American and longtime member of The Olympic Club’s water polo team, Julia brings a strong foundation in teamwork, leadership, and high-level competition to developing young athletes. She was also named a 2026 Masters National Championship All-American.
Julia coaches SFWPC’s girls teams.
Founder, Club Director
Stephen Lacy
Stephen Lacy is the founder and head coach of the San Francisco Water Polo Club. A former player at the University of Southern California (USC), Stephen had the privilege of playing under one of the most renowned coaches in water polo. His time at USC not only honed his skills but also instilled in him a deep understanding of the game and the importance of team dynamics. With his extensive experience and passion for the sport, Stephen founded the club to develop future generations of athletes and promote the sport in the Bay Area. His leadership and vision continue to drive the club’s success.