Fixtures for phase one of the new season are now published on this website!

The women’s campaign makes a spectacular start with a full schedule of matches in Division 1 and 2 at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, 25/26 September. The men’s competition kicks off on 18/19 September when BWPL makes a return after several years’ absence to the K2 Crawley pool for a Division 4 programme.

There are games in men’s Division 1, 4 and 5 at Ponds Forge on 9/10 October while the men's Division 1 finale will see BWPL in action for the first time at the new Alan Higgs Centre Olympic pool, Coventry, 27/28 November.
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See fixtures page for all the details. Please note that some start times may change as pools update their operating procedures.

After cancellation of last year’s events due to Covid, the annual MANUP! men’s and women’s open air tournaments are all set to go again – and as many as 13 BWPL teams will be taking part.
 
The excitement begins at Liverpool’s Albert Dock (Gower Street) next Saturday, 31 July, followed by Media City, Salford Quays, on Saturday, 7 August (both noon starts – entry free for spectators). A junior competition takes place at Nantwich outdoor pool, 15 August.
 
In 2019, local clubs did their city proud at Albert Dock, with Bridgefield claiming the men’s title and City of Liverpool the women’s trophy. At Salford Quays, the winners were Castleford and City of Manchester. For more info, go to www.facebook.com/manupfestival.

Just SEVEN weeks to go before the new BWPL season kicks off! Never before has so much preparation been necessary behind the scenes.
 
We’re talking Covid-19, of course, and the huge impact it continues to have on our sport. You can be assured that the League has been very much on the ball in dealing with the situation – as far as is possible while the picture changes almost day by day.
 
Central to all current discussions is the League’s own Covid Group, headed up by Claire Walmsley, who is one of the clubs’ representatives on the main committee. The Group met again this week for further consideration of possible protocols and actions that might need to be in place – for all players, coaches and officials – should Covid become a problem as the season unfolds.
 
Inevitably, it’s very much a “what if?” debate. We cannot know the detail of what will happen. But, led by our Covid Group, the intention is that BWPL will be as prepared as it can be. The Group aims to take a fluid approach, relying at every step on advice/guidance from the Government and Swim England and, importantly, ensuring a speedy flow of information to all.
 
In the meantime, the League is in discussion with all pools regarding their specific protocols. Venues may differ. Again, it’s a matter of being prepared . . .
 

We’re really excited about the League’s project with the “We Play Sport” initiative, headed by ex-GB goal ace Adam Schofield, which aims to record and then stream all BWPL matches, starting this season.
 
The filming is done via mobile phones. And here’s where the League needs YOUR help.
 
To save investing in new phones, we are asking members of all clubs to hunt through desks and cupboards at home to find any unwanted mobile phones and then donate these to BWPL. The phones need to be either iPhone or Android, less than four years old and in working order – especially the camera video function. If you can assist, please email Mike Hesketh at [email protected].

Photo: Adam Schofield (white cap) in action during his days as a BWPL star.