About the club
The club
Oxford University Water Polo Club has a rich 135-year history, bedding itself in that time as one of the University of Oxford's most influential and successful small sports clubs.
The club is uniquely socially integrated compared to other Oxford University sports clubs. Our membership base reached over 60 members in the 2025/26 season, made up of a combination of current and graduated students as well as social and competitive players. Attendance at socials always has members from ALL squads and ranges from casual post-training pub trips, park runs, picnics in summer, crewdates with other sports clubs and much more!
Our first teams compete at the highest level of BUCS competition with training running four-five times a week across the season, which includes pool- and gym-based training. Water Polo is one of Oxford's Blues sports, meaning that our players benefit from the Blues Performance Scheme and our best teams can earn Blues. As with most sports clubs here, the highlight of the calendar is Varsity — a fiercely competitive rivalry with Cambridge held as a one day event at alternating venues. The first fixture was played in 1891, making it the longest-running water polo competition in the world!
Membership
OUWPC welcomes individuals of all abilities, with skill level ranging from senior national team representatives to brand new players picking up the sport for the first time at university. We encourage everyone to give OUWPC a chance during their time at Oxford!
Annual club membership is ~£140 (payment opens after the trial period at the start of Michaelmas term). This is almost always covered by the Oxford college you're a member of, so check with your college's sports fund or JCR/MCR for details. If your college does not offer subsidy, the club provides financial support in these instances.
If you are interested in joining OUWPC, please click here!
Yearly schedule
Preseason & BUCS begins
Michaelmas starts with a week of pre-season training that gives our teams a running start before the BUCS League competitions get swiftly underway. After pre-season a short trial period will be open for newcomers to try out.
BUCS & Varsity
BUCS League and Championship fixtures continue through Hilary term, culminating in the Varsity match against Cambridge at the end of February / start of March — undoubtedly the keystone of the year's schedule.
Cuppers & Friendlies
For our inter-college competition, teams are formed around Oxford colleges and compete for the club's prestigious rubber duck trophy, where new players are highly encouraged to take part. Alongside this, our competitive teams play friendlies against nearby universities as well as in the annual Town v Gown matches against Oxford City Water Polo Club. A fun, low-pressure way to end the year!
Socials
Alongside training and matches, the club runs a regular calendar of socials — both amongst ourselves and with other clubs. This includes crewdates, park runs, picnics, and much more!