What is water polo?
Competitive water polo demands intelligence, strength, stamina, skill, and above all, consistent teamwork. The superb quality of Oxford's academics, athletics, and social life provides an ideal environment for water polo excellence. Water polo games pit two teams against each other in the water, with the objective of scoring as many goals as possible. It is a highly physically demanding sport as players are continuously swimming and even at rest must tread water to stay afloat. The ball is moved around the pitch by passing or pushing the ball, and can only be held in one hand. Teams play four eight-minute quarters with seven players from each team in the water at one time; six outfield and one goalkeeper. Each team is allowed six substitutes and there is no maximum number of times players can substitute in or out.
Water polo is a full-contact sport, so there are plenty of whistles for common fouls that result in loss of possession. Major fouls are punished with a 20-second penalty; in this situation the team must play with a man-down. Players that commit three major fouls in a game must sit out of the rest of the game. For more information on the basics of water polo click here.
Water polo has its origins as a form of rugby played in rivers in England and Scotland. It has a storied and (at times) brutal history, including an Olympic match between Hungary and Yugoslavia called off due to its savagery. Men’s water polo has been an Olympic sport since 1900, but the Women’s game only became an Olympic sport in 2000. For a more detailed history of water polo, click here.
Water polo is a full-contact sport, so there are plenty of whistles for common fouls that result in loss of possession. Major fouls are punished with a 20-second penalty; in this situation the team must play with a man-down. Players that commit three major fouls in a game must sit out of the rest of the game. For more information on the basics of water polo click here.
Water polo has its origins as a form of rugby played in rivers in England and Scotland. It has a storied and (at times) brutal history, including an Olympic match between Hungary and Yugoslavia called off due to its savagery. Men’s water polo has been an Olympic sport since 1900, but the Women’s game only became an Olympic sport in 2000. For a more detailed history of water polo, click here.
water polo at oxford
Oxford University Water Polo Club exists to provide competitive water polo to students and represent the university at the national level. Water Polo is a discretionary full blue sport, and as such has a prestigious status in the university sports scene. Members of the club train up to 6 times a week in preparation for BUCS fixtures and the annual Varsity match against Cambridge, a unique event characterised by its fantastic atmosphere. While our teams compete at the highest level of university sport, we also provide opportunities for beginners and novices to learn the game in a welcoming and friendly environment. Alongside training and competing the club has regular socials. From annual events such as the Christmas Dinner and Freshers’ Curry, to informal drinks after training, socials play an important role in team bonding and are a big part of members’ OUWPC experience.
our Teams
Men’s Blues
The Men's Blues Team is generally selected from players who have significant playing experience, typically 5+ years at either school, regional or national level. The team trains 3-4 times a week and plays regular matches against top university and club teams. The Blues compete in the South Premier division BUCS league, placing first in the 2022-23 season, and regularly qualify for the semi-finals in the Men's Championship. Men’s Seconds The Men’s Second Team is open to all abilities, including beginners. Players train 2-3 times a week, and compete against other universities in BUCS Men’s Midland 2A. This experience allows players of all levels to hone their skills, and many subsequently move up to the Blues Team. |
Women’s Blues
The Women's Blues Team typically consists of a mix of novices and experienced players. The team trains 3-4 times a week, which allows beginners to reach a high standard in a very short space of time. The Blues compete in the Women’s Premier North, coming 3rd in the 2022-23 season after only being promoted the season before. Women’s Seconds The Women’s Second team is a recent addition to OUWPC, having been created for the first ever Women’s Seconds Varsity match in 2019. The team plays friendlies and at Varsity, giving novices an opportunity to cut their teeth in the world of competitive water polo. The Women’s teams train and compete in BUCS together, and the Seconds team is only separated from the rest of the squad for the Varsity match. |
Blues
Water Polo is a discretionary Full Blue sport at Oxford. Each of the Men’s and Women’s Varsity teams receive 7 Half Blues per year, with an additional 6 Half Blues available at the captain’s discretion. If a team wins a game at the BUCS Semi-Finals, all players may be awarded Discretionary Full Blues.
training
Where we train
We are lucky in Oxford to have a state of the art pool. The Rosenblatt Pool has a moveable floor to accommodate double deep-end water polo: making us the envy of many other universities who train and play in shallow-ended pools or rented public pools. |
Provisional Training Times Trinity 2024

Want to join?If you'd like to join OUWPC in Michaelmas 2024, please look out for our stall at the freshers fair, or register your interest here (or do both!).
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