NEW SEASON - AN UPDATE
The BWPL Committee met on 26 July and, as will have been expected, finally abandoned any hope of staging a reduced season starting in late October.
The target now is to begin in January, with an eight-division programme – five men’s, three women’s – and each team playing only seven matches.
However, the survey of clubs and League officials carried out by BWPL, revealed a high level of uncertainty regarding the reopening of pools – let alone, when clubs will be in a position to resume full training and matches. A significant number of teams are uncertain whether they will be ready to return in January.
Therefore, it was agreed that a further survey would be carried out in September, when the position for many should be clearer.
Then, the Committee will meet again on 27 September to decide the next step. Should a January start prove impractical, another option would be to stage a stand-alone competition – not affecting promotion etc established after the 2019/20 season – for those able to take part.
Meanwhile, Swim England say they are “absolutely committed” to getting water polo back in action as soon as possible following the Government publishing the Return to Recreational Team Sport Framework. Together with the SE Water Polo Leadership Group, detailed guidance is being drawn up on how the sport can be played safely. See News page for more details.
Top of page: Snapshots (by Trevor Hyde) of last season - a reminder of those carefree, pre-corona days when BWPL was still in full swing! L-R: Manchester's Dan Padden on the attack; Eve Tidy, of Welsh Wanderers, just managing to keep afloat under the challenge of Leah Clark, of Mid Sussex Marlins; and Ali Wakeling, of Sutton & Cheam.
The target now is to begin in January, with an eight-division programme – five men’s, three women’s – and each team playing only seven matches.
However, the survey of clubs and League officials carried out by BWPL, revealed a high level of uncertainty regarding the reopening of pools – let alone, when clubs will be in a position to resume full training and matches. A significant number of teams are uncertain whether they will be ready to return in January.
Therefore, it was agreed that a further survey would be carried out in September, when the position for many should be clearer.
Then, the Committee will meet again on 27 September to decide the next step. Should a January start prove impractical, another option would be to stage a stand-alone competition – not affecting promotion etc established after the 2019/20 season – for those able to take part.
Meanwhile, Swim England say they are “absolutely committed” to getting water polo back in action as soon as possible following the Government publishing the Return to Recreational Team Sport Framework. Together with the SE Water Polo Leadership Group, detailed guidance is being drawn up on how the sport can be played safely. See News page for more details.
Top of page: Snapshots (by Trevor Hyde) of last season - a reminder of those carefree, pre-corona days when BWPL was still in full swing! L-R: Manchester's Dan Padden on the attack; Eve Tidy, of Welsh Wanderers, just managing to keep afloat under the challenge of Leah Clark, of Mid Sussex Marlins; and Ali Wakeling, of Sutton & Cheam.
Other News:
DEATH OF MIKE GLOVER: Former ASA President Mike Glover, one of the most influential figures in British water polo for more than 30 years, died on 15 April at his Manchester home following a long illness. See News page for more details.
DEATH OF MIKE GLOVER: Former ASA President Mike Glover, one of the most influential figures in British water polo for more than 30 years, died on 15 April at his Manchester home following a long illness. See News page for more details.
FOLLOW THE BEST IN BRITISH WATER POLO!
Welcome to the website of the BWPL, UK water polo's premier league competition!!
The British Water Polo League was launched in 2010 following the successful merger of the men's National League and the National Women's Water Polo League. We have gone from strength to strength since then and the 2019/20 season features a full complement of 64 teams from England, Scotland and Wales - 40 men's and 24 women's.
Particular thanks to James Reddick, of Polytechnic, for his help in creating this website. For more information about advertising, please contact BWPL Secretary Chris Ducker, chris.ducker@bwpl.org.
The British Water Polo League was launched in 2010 following the successful merger of the men's National League and the National Women's Water Polo League. We have gone from strength to strength since then and the 2019/20 season features a full complement of 64 teams from England, Scotland and Wales - 40 men's and 24 women's.
Particular thanks to James Reddick, of Polytechnic, for his help in creating this website. For more information about advertising, please contact BWPL Secretary Chris Ducker, chris.ducker@bwpl.org.
