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Swimming and Water Polo

A club for everyone – from national level athletes to our more casual members. We support everyone no matter their goals, creating a community that fuels your university experience. From BUSL National B finals, BUCS Midlands Tier 1 water polo teams, Varsity, and family spirit – we are the club for you.

Join our Swimming & Water Polo club

About NTU Swimming and Water Polo

With around 130 members, NTU Swimming & Water Polo is an inclusive club for all abilities—from national-level athletes to social swimmers.

We offer three swim squads:

Competitive: Four sessions a week plus optional S&C. Compete in BUCS, BUSL (2024 National Finalists), and Varsity.

Fitness: For ex-competitive swimmers training for health. Three sessions a week.

Social: Train for fun, with three sessions weekly.

Members can move between squads freely.

Our men’s and women’s water polo teams train four times a week plus S&C, competing in BUCS Midlands Tier 1 and Varsity. Members are encouraged to enjoy both sports.

Led by expert head coaches - including GB and Olympic trial experience—we balance high-performance training with a friendly, social community that makes university life even better.

Luke Barton, President:

“The club has made my time at university, with so many great memories. You get the best of two sports, and such a great community.”

Everything you need to know:

We train across two great pools in Nottingham City centre, both at Nottingham High School and Harvey Hadden Sports Village.

Swimming:

  • Monday 8 pm – 9 pm (all squads at the high school)
  • Tuesday 5 pm – 6 pm (all squads + polo players for a swim session at the high school)
  • Thursday 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm (competitive swimmers only at Harvey Hadden)
  • Friday 6 pm – 7 pm (all squads at the high school)

Competitive swimmers will compete in BUCS short course in November and long course in February, with BUSL throughout the year.

Water Polo:

  • Monday 9 pm – 10 pm (at the high school)
  • Tuesday 5 pm – 6 pm (all squads + polo players for a swim session at the high school)
  • Thursday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (at the high school)
  • Friday 7 pm – 8:30 pm (at the high school)

Our polo players will compete in their BUCS league most Wednesdays.

We have a two tiered membership system new this year! This ensure all of our members get the most out of their money.

Our membership is inclusive of your NTU sport membership.

Competitive swimmers and Water Polo players - £155.50

Fitness and social swimmers - £142.50

This is a one of payment and covers your membership for the entire year.

Want to represent NTU?

We run Squad Selection sessions during Welcome Week at the start of each academic year. Keep an eye on our club social media for updates or email us for more information.

Alternatively, head to the NTU Welcome website to see all available sessions!

Want to get a feel for the club and sport before joining?

We run taster sessions during Welcome Week at the start of each academic year. Keep an eye on our club social media for updates or email us for more information.

Alternatively, head to the NTU Welcome website to see all available sessions!

We offer Play for Fun sessions, whether you're  advanced or have never tried swimming or water polo before come along to any of our training sessions.

Each year we accept a number of athletes on scholarships across a range of sports. Each scholarship application is judged on a case-by-case basis, and we encourage athletes from all sports who are interested to take a look at the information on the Sport scholarships web page. If you have any questions, please email sportscholarships@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 3219.

The club's coaching structure is spear-headed by two national level coaches, and is supported by a small team of student coaches with years of competitive experience.

Our head Swim coach is Wayne Cummings. Wayne has coached at all levels of the sport, from social and fitness swimmers, older master swimmers, and high performing national level athletes competing in national finals and medalling. Wayne heads up the performance programme at the City of Leicester Swimming club, and coaches on the regional development pathway. Our swim team couldn't be in safer hands with Wayne on board.

Sarah Dunsbee is our head water polo coach, and we couldn't be more proud to have her with us. Sarah has coached teams at World and European championships. Sarah is the lead water polo coach tutor at Swim England, and if this wasn't enough, also coaches the British Army woman's water polo team. More local to home, Sarah is one of the assistant coaches at Hucknall water polo club. Our players are in safe hands with Sarah on poolside.

Luke Barton is one of our student coaches for swimming, as well as being the club president. Luke is in is final year of his paramedic degree, and balances this with leading the club forward. Luke has swam since he could walk, and has competed at county, regional, and national levels. Having won regional championships, and raced at national open water water championships, Luke brings a level of knowledge of how to work at competitions that is so beneficial for our new university athletes when heading to BUCS for the first time.

The coaching team will be further supported by other student coaches and the captains.

Got any questions? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch: NTUSwimWP@ntu.ac.uk

You can get a discount of £60.00 on each club after your first purchase!

Please visit our sport receptions after your first purchase to enable the discount.

Please note, when making the discounted club purchase online after visiting us, the discount will only apply on the very last page of the transaction, after you have clicked on 'Pay And Finish'. The full price will display until you reach this page.

Our Top Achievements:

1
st

BUSL national B finalists

4
th

in Women's Midlands Tier 1

4
th

in Men's Midlands Tier 2 and secured a promotion

Club's social media