Last week, a green light to play again . . . and now? Wham! A new raft of Government coronavirus restrictions which once again will impact on water polo.

In his House of Commons statement yesterday, Boris Johnson said that the ‘rule of 6’ is being extended to indoor adult team sports – anyone aged 18 years and over.

To what extent will our sport be affected?

Swim England today clarified the situation for BWPL, confirming that sessions will be limited to training and playing in bubbles of six people only but that “the new rules state that organised indoor sport or exercise classes can take place in larger numbers, provided groups of more than six do not mix.

“This means six could play a three-versus-three game in one area of the pool, while another group of six do the same in a different part of the water.”
​
The latest guidance does not apply to under-18 indoor team sports, which can carry on as before. Swim England is seeking further clarification on how this applies to mixed groups of athletes aged over 18 and under 18, but the current interpretation is that each group must be limited to six. It is also understood that coaches are not included in the six as long as they maintain social distancing. For details of today’s Swim England statement, go to https://www.swimming.org/waterpolo/clarity-coronavirus-restrictions/.

At its latest meeting yesterday (Sunday), the British League committee reluctantly accepted that the 2020/21 season must be abandoned due the continuing Covid-19 crisis. So where do we go from here?

Our clubs are obviously desperate to get back in action as soon as possible. And there has been considerable support for the idea of running an event of some kind.
​
At this stage, the committee have agreed that a stand-alone event – in other words, one that doesn’t impact on promotion and relegation issues decided at the end of the 2019/20 campaign – could work well, perhaps in April and May. It’s certainly worth a try! But, of course, much will depend on the Covid-19 situation next Spring and whether strict guidelines outlined by Swim England and the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport can be met.

Water polo received a welcome lifeline today when Swim England announced that clubs and players have been given the green light to return to training and competitive action.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has approved evidence submitted by Swim England at the beginning of this month. It means water polo is now on the approved list of sports allowed to restart in England following the easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

BWPL chairman David Andrews welcomed this “fantastic news”, adding that it’s “perfectly timed for the League’s next committee meeting on Sunday, when hopefully we can start working towards meaningful competition as early as the New Year.”

Swim England’s guidelines focus on areas such as social distancing during breaks and post-game, use of equipment, advice for match officials and coaches, injury treatment plus information for spectators. These will be used in conjunction with Swim England’s Returning to the Pool guidance which covers details on travel to training and matches, plus advice for medics.

George Wood, Swim England’s Sport Development Director, welcomed the Government announcement. “We’re thrilled water polo can now be played once again,” he said.

“I would like to thank Toby King and our Water Polo Leadership Group and our Head of Performance Operations, Rachel Bayley, for pushing forward this important piece of work. It will come as a welcome relief to our affiliated water polo clubs and players who have been desperate to enjoy the sport they love since pools were allowed to reopen.”