Water Polo was one of the activities which was supported by the Welsh A.S.A at its inception way back in 1897. It was originally a men-only activity, but under the current auspices of Swim Wales has now expanded to include Ladies and Junior participants, too.
The Mini-polo game starts at Junior School level and is now offered by most of the Local Authorities, often through the Free Swim initiatives administered by their Swimming Development Officers.
The game is a cross between basketball and handball, played in water by teams of up to 13 players and up to 7 of these players take it in turns to be in the water. The ball is the same size as a football, but has a roughened surface to enable players to catch and pass the wet ball more easily. Football style goals exist at each end of the 25/30m pitch.
The games normally have 4 quarters of between 5 and 8 minutes, depending on the age of the players and each team is limited to 30 seconds possession. Time outs and 20 second ‘sin bins’ for contact type offences, as it is nominally a non-contact game, are an integral part of the rules and tactics adopted
Progress can be made though Water Polo Clubs, Swimming Clubs with water polo sections, Local Authority or Club Mini-polo activities attached to the Welsh Clinic Sessions and the Regional Training Centre, which meets weekly during term time.
The game is also played extensively by college/university teams, providing an opportunity for swimming skills to be used in a team sport after leaving school.
Junior and Senior Leagues have been re-introduced within Wales and the Welsh Wanderers team and Cardiff Ladies represent Wales in the British National Leagues and the Bristol and the West Leagues.
Where can I start
There are Welsh ASA clubs in Cardiff, Carmarthen, Newport, Pembroke and Wrexham catering for male and female players and may be contacted through
Cardiff: Russ Thomas RussThom4s@aol.com
Carmarthen: John Evans carm.wp@3pcc.fsnet.co.uk
Newport: Tony Hale tonyh.hale2@ntlworld.com
North Wales: Ian Austerberry ian.austerberry@welshasa.co.uk
Other sources of information
Water Polo Co-ordinator Alan Roberts alan_roberts@osbaston.freeserve.co.uk
Senior players
Cardiff Ladies contact Russ Thomas at Cardiff
Men’s Team Welsh Wanderers contact Jon Griffiths jonathan.griffiths@geldards.co.uk
Both these teams play in their respective English National Leagues
Welsh Team Coach Rhys Tamlyn rhys.tamlyn@o2.com
The National Senior and Junior Teams train at RAF St Athan (Barry) and Welsh qualified players from inside or outside the Principality should contact Rhys Tamlyn if a senior player, or John Evans (see above) if a junior.
Wales has participated as a nation in the Men’s Senior and Junior Home Nations Tournaments, Eight Nations Tournament in Europe as well as the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Championships and the 2006 Perth Commonwealth Tournament
A Junior Development Centre programme is undertaken by John Evans, also at St Athan on occasional Sunday afternoons, and any 11 to 15 year players will be made welcome. Players can progress from here into the GB programmes held at Millfield and Manchester. For more information email welshjnr.wp@3pcc.fsnet.co.uk
Swim Wales members keen to be kept informed should include Water Polo in their Annual Registration renewals
