Bluefins Water Polo Juniors - Compete, Connect and Grow
- Sep 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Parent Guide Series
Turning Skill Into Competition
The Bluefins Junior Water Polo Squad is where players begin to turn skill into competition.
For athletes aged 12–18, this is the stage where the game becomes quicker, more tactical and more physically demanding. It is where players begin to understand not just how to play, but how to compete.
Everything built in the Academy starts to take shape here. Players learn to apply their skills under pressure, make better decisions in game situations, and understand what it means to contribute to a team.
Coach’s View
“This is where players begin to think properly in the water, not just react,”
says Coach Youssef Awad.
Who It’s For
The Junior squad is for swimmers and water polo players aged 12–18 who are ready to compete, learn and grow within a team environment.
It is particularly suited to:
swimmers progressing from the Water Polo Academy and ready for league or tournament play
dual-pathway athletes from Age Group Competitive and Performance squads
strong swimmers who are new to polo and want to experience a different side of the sport
Water polo at this stage is open to both boys and girls, with equal opportunities to train, compete and progress.
Bluefins actively encourages more girls to get involved. It is a brilliant way to build confidence, stay fit, develop team awareness and enjoy the social side of sport while maintaining a strong swimming base.
No previous match experience is required. Strong swimming ability, commitment and a willingness to learn are the most important starting points.
The Competitive Stage
Junior training is built around preparing players for real competition.
Bluefins players currently compete in:
the London League U15s
the National Conference Junior U15 League
regional fixtures and development events through the Hampshire Water Polo Network (HWPN)
These competitions expose players to a higher level of physical and tactical challenge, helping them learn how to manage fatigue, respond to opposition and stay composed under pressure.
Some Junior players also take part in joint tournaments and collaborative training opportunities with Worthing Water Polo Club, giving them additional match exposure and experience in different environments.
For girls who want to progress further, the pathway also links into Women’s Training and opportunities connected to Southampton Sirens, a British Water Polo League team.
In the 2024 season, Bluefins’ U15s achieved a top-three finish in the London League, with two athletes selected for the Regional Training Squad. That reflected genuine progress in both quality and depth across the programme.
What They Learn
At Junior level, the focus moves beyond basic skill execution and into understanding the game more fully.
Players begin to develop:
positional awareness and defensive systems
counter-attack speed and transition play
communication and leadership in the pool
decision-making under pressure
understanding of refereeing and match situations
Training remains structured, but it becomes increasingly game-based and decision-led.
Players are expected not just to perform skills, but to recognise patterns, solve problems and support the team more effectively.
Coach’s View
“Junior polo pushes athletes to think two steps ahead,”
says Coach Youssef.
“You can see their confidence and composure grow as they begin to understand the game properly.”
Why It Works for Swimmers
One of the strengths of the Bluefins Junior programme is that many players are swimmers first.
That matters.
A strong swimming background gives players an immediate advantage in movement, recovery, pace and body control. It also means they are often physically well prepared for the demands of the game.
Swimming contributes to polo performance in several important ways:
aerobic conditioning supports repeated high-intensity efforts
speed and efficiency help in transition and counter-attack situations
breath control improves composure and body awareness
race experience helps athletes stay calm and focused under pressure
This is one of the reasons dual-pathway athletes often develop so well in water polo. They bring both physical readiness and competitive habits into the team environment.
Coach’s View
“The overlap between swimming and polo is a real strength,”
says Spencer Turner, Head of Swimming at Basingstoke Bluefins.
“Swimmers often bring speed, discipline and physical resilience into the game. Polo then gives them a different kind of awareness, decision-making and confidence.”
Bluefins in Action
The Junior squad includes a number of swimmers who combine water polo with squad swimming, each bringing different strengths from their pathway.
Toby, 14 – Age Group Competitive
A strong dual-pathway athlete who uses his swimming endurance and speed to great effect in transition. His awareness of pacing and recovery carries over well into match play.
Sullivan, 16 – Youth Performance
Thrives on intensity and repeated effort. His swimming background gives him the engine to maintain quality through demanding matches and tournament formats.
Piaras, 17 – National Performance
Now bridging towards senior polo, Piaras brings composure, tactical awareness and consistency. His experience across both swimming and polo makes him a strong example for younger players coming through.
The Bigger Picture
The Junior Squad is not just about matches and results.
It is a key stage in helping young athletes develop confidence, resilience, communication and responsibility within a team setting.
For some, it becomes a route into Senior Training, university polo or higher-level competition. For others, it becomes an enjoyable and challenging way to stay involved in sport through the teenage years.
Either way, it gives players something valuable: a sense of belonging, challenge and identity within the club.
Coach’s View
“For many of our Junior athletes, this is where enjoyment and performance really start to come together,” says Coach Youssef.
Ready to Start?
Weekly trial opportunities are available for swimmers who would like to experience Junior Water Polo and see if it is the right fit.
To find out more or book a trial, contact the club.
Bluefins Water Polo Juniors - Train hard. Think fast. Play together.
