Performance Water Polo
Water Polo players studying at the University of Nottingham join one of the UK's leading University set ups, with Two Men's and Two Womens Teams competing in the British Universities and Colleges' Sport (BUCS) leagues. We offer 11 Hours of Pool & 2 Hours of Strength & Conditioning Training a week, which can be matched by no other UK Club or University Team.
Our facilities are excellent- the University's £45 million David Ross Sports Village houses a 25m double deep pool with moveable floor and our performance athletes have access to the state-of-the-art strength and conditioning area in our High Performance Zone. These facilities help to support the several players we currently have competing at International level. Strong Links with local national league side Hucknall offer players further exposure to high level training and British Water Polo League Matches.
Performance Water Polo at the University of Nottingham
Performance coaching
Our performance water polo programme is led by Head Coach Sam Joyce, himself an alumni of the University of Nottingham. An experienced University coach and British Water Polo League Player, Sam has developed the programme into one of the UK’s leading University Water Polo set ups.
Sam is supported by Assistant coach David Philipson and Consultant Coach Tim Dunsbee. Tim is an ex senior International Coach and so players at Nottingham are exposed to some of the best coaching available in the Country.
Contact Sam Joyce
Performance training
- 7 weekly training sessions (1-2 hours)
- 2 weekly strength and conditioning sessions
- Regular Sports Psychology and Nutrition Sessions
- Regular matches with British Water Polo League (BWPL) sides
Achievements
- 2018/19- Midlands 1A Champions (Men 1 and Women 1)
- 2018/19- BUCS Trophy Champions (Men 1 and Women 1)
- 2017/18 - Midlands 1A champions (Men 1)
- 2017/18 - BUCS Trophy winners (Men 1)
- 2017/18 - British UPOLO champions (Men 1)
- 2017/18 - British UPOLO runners up (Women 1)
- 2016/17 - Midlands 1A champions and promotion to BUCS Premier North (Women 1)
- 2016/17 - BUCS Trophy runners up (Women 1)
- 2016/17 - British UPOLO champions (Men 1)
Performance facilities
Competition
Athlete profiles
Matt Madden
Studying: French and Spanish
Water Polo background: Solihull and GB team
Top Achievements: Captaining GB to first European championships in over a decade. Winning national league and British championships in the same year. Named British swimming’s waterpolo athlete of the year 2018.
"Nottingham’s scholarship program is well structured and greatly beneficial to athletes of all disciplines. It attracts top athletes which contributes to making Nottingham the top sporting uni. It has helped me personally in an unfunded amateur sport to train in unrivaled facilities and compete at the highest level possible".
Anna Lord
Studying: BSc Physiotherapy (School of Life Sciences)
Water Polo Background: Manchester, Hucknall and GB
Top Achievements: Winning National Age Group championships
"Nottingham facilities and coaching staff are second to none. All the extra support form strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists and lifestyle advisors have helped me improve my skills massively whilst helping me manage my university work and social life alongside training."