🤽‍♂️ Bluefins Water Polo Juniors — Compete, Connect, and Grow

Parent Guide Series

Turning Skill Into Strategy

The Bluefins Junior Water Polo Squad is where players turn skill into strategy and teamwork into performance. For athletes aged 12–18, this is where the game becomes faster, smarter, and more demanding — and where representing Bluefins truly means something.

Every match, every session, every team talk builds on the foundation set in the Academy. Now, it’s about applying those skills in real competition, learning to think under pressure, and embracing what it means to play for the team.

💬 Coach’s View:

“This is where players develop thinkers in the water — not just players,” says Coach Youssef Awad.

💙 Who It’s For

The Junior squad welcomes swimmers and polo players aged 12–18 who are ready to compete, learn, and grow in a true team environment.

It’s ideal for:

• Graduates of the Water Polo Academy ready for league and tournament play.

• Dual-pathway swimmers from Age Group Competitive and Performance squads who enjoy combining speed, awareness, and endurance.

• New players with strong swimming backgrounds who want to experience the challenge of team sport.

Water Polo at this level is open to both boys and girls, with equal opportunities to train, compete, and progress.

Bluefins actively encourages more girls to get involved — it’s a brilliant way to build confidence, stay fit, and enjoy the social side of sport while maintaining a strong swimming base.

No prior match experience is needed — just strong swimming ability, commitment, and a positive mindset.

The Competitive Stage

Junior training focuses on performance and preparation for real-world competition.

Bluefins players proudly compete in:

• The London League U15s — gaining experience against top regional clubs.

• The National Conference Junior U15 League — testing themselves at a national level.

• Regional fixtures and development events through the Hampshire Water Polo Network (HWPN) — linking with Andover, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Guildford.

Some Junior players also take part in joint tournaments and training collaborations with Worthing Water Polo Club, gaining additional match experience and tactical exposure.

For those girls wanting to go further, the pathway links into Women’s Training and opportunities with the Southampton Sirens, a British Water Polo League team.

In the 2024 season, our U15s achieved a top-three finish in the London League, with two Bluefins athletes invited to the Regional Training Squad — a strong sign of the programme’s growing quality and depth.

Each competition is a learning step — teaching athletes to manage fatigue, adapt to opposition, and compete with confidence.

What They Learn

Here, we build the sharp, durable skills that fuel senior competition — focusing on both the body and the mind:

• Positional play and defensive systems

• Counter-attack drills and fast transitions

• Communication and leadership in the pool

• Understanding refereeing calls and tactical decision-making

Training is structured but dynamic, balancing technical skill with game awareness. Players learn to anticipate play, support teammates, and perform under pressure — both as individuals and as part of a unit.

💬 Coach’s View:

“Junior polo pushes athletes to think two steps ahead,” says Coach Youssef.

“You can see their confidence and composure grow every week.”

Why It Works for Swimmers

Bluefins Juniors are, first and foremost, swimmers — and that’s what makes this squad so effective.

Strong swimming ability gives them the edge in movement, pace, and recovery.

• Endurance from pool training supports high-intensity match play.

• Breath control and streamline sharpen body awareness and positioning.

• Race-pace training translates into smarter counter-attacks and faster turnovers.

• Resilience and composure from competition racing enhance tactical focus.

💬 Coach’s View:

“The Juniors’ balance of swimming and polo keeps athletes adaptable, race-ready, and confident under pressure,” says Spencer Turner, Head of Swimming – Basingstoke Bluefins.

“Swim training complements the game of polo — fast reactions with precision all wrapped up in a competitive environment.”

Case Studies — Bluefins in Action

Toby, 13 — Age Group Competitive: A dual-pathway athlete who uses his swimming endurance and turn speed to dominate transitions. His pacing awareness and recovery between bursts mirror how he races in the pool.

Sullivan, 15 — Youth Performance: Thrives on intensity. His swim training gives him the aerobic base to handle long tournaments and maintain focus late into matches.

Piaras, 16 — National Performance: Bridging into Senior polo, Piaras leads by example — bringing composure, awareness, and precision from both his swimming and his growing experience in elite match play.

Water Polo Juniors

Water Polo Coaching Team

The Bigger Picture

The Junior Squad is more than a team — it’s a stepping stone to senior competition and a foundation for lifelong sport.

Many of our Juniors progress into Senior Training, university teams, or the British Water Polo League — carrying with them the values and standards they developed here.

💬 Coach’s View:

“For many of our Junior athletes, this is where passion meets performance — and the Bluefins spirit truly shines,” says Coach Youssef.

💙 Ready to Start?

👉 Weekly trials available — just contact our Amazing Ali to book your swimmer’s place. ✨

Bluefins Water Polo Juniors — Train Hard. Think Fast. Play Together.