Great Britain's men to compete at World University Summer Games

Great Britain’s men’s squad are to compete in the water polo competition at the World University Summer Games 2019.

But Great Britain’s women’s team are not among the initial teams who have won a place in the event and are on the reserve list.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) organise the World University Games, also known as the Summer Universiade, which take place every two years.

In 2017, Great Britain finished eighth in the men’s competition and 10th in the women’s event, held in Taipei City, Taiwan.

This year’s event is the 30th to take place and is being held in Naples, Italy, between 3-14 July.

Exploring other opportunities

Andy Fuller, Swim England water polo development manager, said: “Following the announcement that the men’s squad will feature and that the female squad are on the reserve list for the forthcoming World University Games in Naples, we would like to thank British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) for working tirelessly with us in attempting to secure our representation despite the challenging entry criteria.

“Whilst keeping the option of participation open for the women (subject to the entries of other nations), we will also focus upon exploring other opportunities to enable our talented female athletes to showcase their talent whilst commencing the process for squad selection and training for the men.”

The Summer Universiade consists of 10 compulsory sports with 13 compulsory disciplines and up to three optional sports chosen by the host country. 

It is widely recognised as the second largest multisport Games in the world after the Olympics and progressively has risen to world class in scale and standard, with more than 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries.