Making Waves: Varsity, Water Polo, and the push for fair recognition

The annual Varsity matches are always a highlight of the Cambridge sporting calendar, bringing together months of training, teamwork and determination into one fiercely contested showdown. For Hana Tallentire, this year’s Water Polo Varsity was not only a test of skill and resilience, but a moment of personal achievement and reflection on the broader landscape of women’s sport at the University of Cambridge.

Varsity results

It was a mixed set of results for Cambridge across the board. Both the women’s and men’s second teams secured impressive victories in their matches. The men’s blues endured a particularly dramatic contest: after finishing four quarters level, the match was decided by penalties. Cambridge narrowly lost after seven penalties each - a tense conclusion after a hard match.

The women’s blues also fell short on the scoreboard, but there were significant individual and collective achievements to celebrate. Hana scored one of Cambridge’s three goals and was awarded Player of the Match!

Having competed in Blues Varsity, Hana is now a Half Blue. Should the team win their upcoming match next Saturday and top their BUCS league, they will be eligible to award seven players Full Blues (out of a 14-player squad). However, the current system allows the men’s Water Polo team to award 14 Full Blues - a discrepancy Hana and her teammates are actively challenging.

“It’s only a symbolic award,” she explains, “but it’s frustrating to see inconsistencies in how highly men’s and women’s sports are regarded at Cambridge.” The team is currently campaigning the Blues Committee to address the imbalance, advocating for equal recognition.

“Also,” Hana says, “due to there being fewer members of the women's water polo team compared with the men's, they pay approximately £105 pounds more per year in training fees, which creates a cycle of fewer women being able to get involved. However, we are campaigning with the sports centre to get a gender equality fund to change this.”

Discovering Water Polo

Hana’s journey into Water Polo was far from conventional. A competitive swimmer from the age of ten, she only discovered the sport in her first year at Murray Edwards. Having never played before, she arrived at her first Friday training session unsure of what to expect.

“I turned up confused about what the sport even was,” she recalls. “But I instantly found that the team environment was so much more supportive than what I’d been used to in an individual sport like swimming.”

With encouragement from teammates and guidance from volunteer coach Richard, captured mid-jump into the pool below, Hana quickly developed her skills. By her second term, she was already competing in BUCS matches.

Why Water Polo?

Water Polo is often ranked among the most physically demanding sports, and the intensity is evident in gameplay. Players are typically substituted every few minutes due to the sheer exertion required. For Hana, the fitness benefits are undeniable, but it’s the mental and tactical aspects of the game that truly captivate her.

“So much goes on under the water that spectators, and often the referee, don’t see,” she says. “Learning the tactics is fascinating.”

Beyond the physical challenge, the sport provides structure and balance. Regular training sessions offer protected time away from academic pressures, helping her regulate stress and return to work more focused and productive.

There are also the social rewards. The women’s team maintains a busy social calendar, often collaborating with the men’s side and other clubs. One training session takes place at 8pm on a Friday. Not the most inviting slot in the depths of January, but, as Hana puts it, “the excitement of seeing my team always beats the cold, the rain, or the call of the pub.”

Most importantly, she highlights the culture of support within the squad. Regardless of college, age, or ability, players are united by a shared desire to improve and enjoy the sport. “Having a team of supportive women around you who care about you improving and having fun more than just winning matches is huge.”

Getting Involved

For those curious about trying Water Polo, Hana’s message is simple: just show up.

While the club includes a handful of highly experienced players, the majority began as complete beginners. There are no trials, only open training sessions and a commitment to helping new players develop. Information about sessions can be found via the @cuswpc Instagram page, and prospective players are encouraged to reach out with questions.

Hana hopes her story will encourage more women at Murray Edwards to get involved in sport, whether competitively or socially. From dramatic Varsity penalty shootouts to late-night training sessions filled with laughter, her experience demonstrates that Water Polo offers far more than results alone. It builds confidence, community and a collective voice, both in and out of the pool.