A - Definitions

1. For the purpose of these rules, ‘Blues’ are those players that are currently training with CUMWPC (not CULWPC). see here for a list.

2. ‘Former players' are those players who have previously trained with CUWPC but no longer continue to do so. University alumni are not permitted to play in the league (unless they are a member of Addenbrookes' team).

B - Administration

1. The building must be cleared 30 minutes after the final match starts each night.

2. The Table will report match results and any serious rules broken to the league secretary after each match-night. Match results and league tables will be posted on the CUSWPC website.

3. Teams that fail to pay the Entry Fees on a timely basis will be excluded from the relevant competition. (e.g. any team who has failed to pay league fees will be excluded from cuppers).

4. Teams must make every effort to fulfil all fixtures - pool hire is expensive, and it is not possible to book additional pool-time. A 5-0 walkover will be awarded to the other team if the opposing team is not in the water to start the match at the allotted time without 48 hrs notice. Rearrangement of games should be organised between the two participating captains and the league secretary should be notified at least 48 hours before the game is due to be played.

5. It is the role of the team captain to arrange any training time for their team.

C - Refereeing

2. The referees will use their discretion to ensure that the game is fun for inexperienced as well as experienced players. Generally, the rules followed will be those set by FINA, as can be found here . A few exceptions to these rules:

        i. If an inexperienced team or player breaks a rule but does not significantly affect play then no foul should be called – this is at the referee’s discretion.

        ii. Matches should be 2 periods of 8 minutes each with a 2 minute break between halves. At the end of the first half, teams should change ends. The first match will begin at 13:55, the second at 14:20 and the third at 14:45. 3 minutes warm-up will be given before each match.

        iii. Rules regarding exclusions will be clarified by the referee, but should involve the excluded player returning to the corner opposite the referee and remaining there until called in by the table.

        iv. Players may only be substituted whilst there is a break in play.

D - Eligibility

1. Each ‘blue’ must declare their current college on the CUSWPC wiki and may only play for that team for the whole season.

2. If the current college of a player does not have a team, that player may pick another college to play for (Blues must indicate this college on the wiki). They may only play for one college during the season. Each college may field only one player from another college (whether a ‘blue’ or not). The rule regarding blues in the water applies to the team, and includes any players from other colleges.

3. Members of CULWPC may play for both their college and CULWPC, however they may only play for one team on a given match night. This selection must be made clear to the table on the night.

4. Players may play for Addenbrookes in addition to their college, but where applicable their college has first claim unless otherwise agreed by the team captains. They may only play for one team on any given match night. This selection must be made clear to the table on the night.

5. College teams may only have one ‘blue’ in the water at any given time during games against other colleges (this does not include fixtures against Addenbrookes, The Leys or CULWPC). For the purpose of this rule ‘former players’ are counted as ‘blues’.

6. No team may field any player from a college that already has a team, or from the Leys School Team.

7. It is the duty of team captains to declare to the table any ‘blues’ or ‘former players’ in their team before the game begins.

8. Any team found to have not declared ‘blues’ or ‘’ to the table will be retroactively disqualified from all that evening’s games.

E - Health & Safety

The game of water polo carries some risk. We will, as far as possible, endeavour to keep everyone safe; including having a lifeguard and experienced water polo players in attendance. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide a qualified referee for every game that is to be played. Nor is it possible to guarantee your safety. If you still play,you do so fully understanding the risks. You also confirm that you are sufficiently competent in and around water to play water polo.

Many people are playing water polo for the first time and consequently are likely to be unfamiliar with the rules. One point we will stress is the following: