Durham Water Polo aims to make the sport more accessible through new college tournament
By Jennifer Bailey
Water polo could be seen as one of Durham’s more intimidating sports. It is fast, physical, and unfamiliar to many students arriving at university. However, Durham University Water Polo Club hopes a new beginner-friendly tournament can help change those perceptions.
The brand new inter-collegiate competition will take place on 6th (Men’s), 13th (Women’s), and 14th June (Final’s) at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre. Eight college teams will compete in short-format matches designed to introduce more students to the sport.
When asked what sparked the idea, current Treasurer and incoming Co-President, Sofia Roberts, explained the concept came from recognising how few people ever get the opportunity to try water polo in the first place.
“Most people have played football, hockey, netball or swimming,” she said. “But water polo is one where most people haven’t had the opportunity to try it out.”
Unlike many university sports, water polo remains relatively niche in England. Access to the sport often depends on circumstance, from access to swimming facilities to unequal opportunities within school PE programmes. As a result, many players only discover the sport through certain schools, swimming clubs, or friends already involved.
Sofia’s own experience reflects that. Before university, she had briefly encountered water polo during school swimming lessons, where students would occasionally throw a ball around in the pool. It was not until a friend encouraged her to attend training sessions at Durham that she properly began playing.
“One of my friends from school was captain of the second team and basically told me: ‘You should come and join.’”
Current Vice-President, Daniel Robinson, followed a similar route into the sport. After starting out as a competitive swimmer, he later transitioned into club-level water polo in Birmingham.
Despite assumptions surrounding the sport, both stressed that students do not need to be elite swimmers to get involved.
“You obviously have to be able to swim,” Sofia explained. “But I’d say you have to be stronger at treading water and just staying up.”
That accessibility is central to the tournament’s design. Current Durham players will mostly not take part, allowing beginners to try the sport without the pressure of competing against experienced university athletes.
“The main thing is to bring beginners into the sport,” Daniel said. “This is very much designed to be a beginner-friendly environment. It’s completely judgement-free.”
Games will consist of two seven-minute halves, with the shorter format intended to keep matches fast-paced and manageable for first-time players.
For students unfamiliar with the sport, Daniel compared water polo to football “but with your hands in water.” Teams consist of seven players, including a goalkeeper, with the aim of scoring in the opposition’s goal.
Although the sport can appear physically demanding at the highest level, Daniel was keen to separate this tournament from elite competition.
“The games people watch, like BUCS finals, are at the top level,” he said. “But this isn’t that. It’s designed to get people involved.”
The competition also reflects a wider effort across Durham sport to make traditionally intimidating clubs feel more welcoming. Earlier this academic year, Team Durham President, Sophie Underwood, spoke to Palatinate about challenging stereotypes surrounding rugby and encouraging broader participation in the women’s game.
She also emphasised a similar sentiment to Sofia and Daniel: “We don’t expect perfection… we just want players to enjoy it”.
For Sofia, believes intimidation remains the biggest barrier stopping students from trying water polo.
“It can seem like quite an intimidating sport because it’s very different to what most people have played,” she said. “But it’s a lot easier than people think.”
Away from competition, both Sofia and Daniel described the club’s social side as one of its biggest strengths. Durham Water Polo currently has six teams and development squads, with players across all levels of the club regularly mixing together.
“We have quite a big social scene,” Daniel said. “It’s a really friendly club and there’s always something to get involved in.”
That sense of identity is part of what keeps many players involved in the sport. Club member Ella Ferris believes water polo’s niche reputation is part of its appeal.
“I love that water polo is slightly underground in the UK,” she said. “I think it makes it seem even cooler when you tell people you play.”
She added: “It’s the perfect outlet for the parts of you that don’t fit into everyday uni – you get to be aggressive, competitive, and totally ignore usual constraints for a bit.”
Beyond this year’s competition, organisers hope the tournament could eventually become a regular fixture in Durham’s college sporting calendar. Official college sport points may also be introduced in future years.
At the time of interview, around 30 students had already signed up to take part, although organisers hope more colleges will get involved before the June fixtures begin. Students interested in participating can sign up through Durham University Water Polo Club’s Instagram page.
Images by Dan Robinson and Team Durham Water Polo
