Girls just wanna have BUCS

Imperial’s women’s water polo team will not enter British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition this year, leaving them without a structured competitive option.

BUCS places universities in conferences, based on geography. Imperial in its South Eastern conference. 

Under BUCS Regulation 8.3.2.2, a conference league needs at least four teams to run. This year, only two women’s teams entered the South Eastern conference; BUCS is therefore not allowing a league to take place.

Last season, the same league ran with three teams. Regulation 8.3.2.2.1 permits a league to continue below the minimum if teams withdraw after it has been established with four, provided the remaining teams agree.

As a Tier 1 team, Imperial is also eligible for the BUCS National Trophy, which extends beyond conferences. However, the women's team has been told it cannot enter the Trophy competition without first entering the league, as trophy fixtures are played during the league programme. Imperial has also been unable to move to the Western conference.

BUCS has said it wishes to “avoid creating further exceptions within the existing structure”. Felix understands they will review the arrangement for the 2027–28 season.

A possible solution is being explored: Southampton, whose women’s team currently competes in the Western conference, could join the South Eastern conference. This would still leave only three teams in the conference, one short of the stated minimum. 

Imperial College women’s captain Elizabeth McKenna tells Felix she feels this is "an injustice against the opportunity for the women wanting to play Water polo at Imperial", dissapointed as BUCS delivers competitive opportunity, something not available to these hardworking athletes. 

Move Imperial has been supporting the team and has been in contact with BUCS.