Cheltenham opted not to take part in the men’s event. Their place will be taken by Sutton & Cheam, the new Championship 1 winners who (along only with Cheltenham and Polytechnic) claim the distinction of competing in every season since national league water polo began way back in 1963.
The other teams at Coventry will be Polytechnic, Penguin and City of Manchester, the 2022 champions.
The men’s competition will be played in a 30m pitch and, for the first time in BWPL, with flying substitutes.
Photo (Trevor Hyde): Goalkeeper Matt Holland, 2012 Olympics veteran and still going strong for Sutton.