The University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club (UYSWC) is one of the University’s most successful and welcoming sports clubs, bringing together more than 80 swimmers and water polo players who compete at regional and national level. Following an outstanding season that included multiple league titles and being named Club of the Year by York Students’ Union, WhichPad sat down with Team Captains Louis, Emelia and Andrew to discuss university life, competitive sport and finding student accommodation in York.
Team Quick Facts
- University: York
- Sport: Swimming and Water Polo
- Squad Size: UYSWC currently has over eighty members and is hoping to grow to over a hundred in the upcoming year.
- Sponsored by: WhichPad
Highlights from the 2025/26 season include:
- 🏆 York Students’ Union Club of the Year
- 🏊 BUSL National B Final Champions
- 🏆 Men’s Water Polo Conference Cup Winners
- 🥇 Northern Tier 2 League Champions
- ⬆️ Promotion to Northern Tier 1
- 🌹 Roses Match Winners vs Lancaster
- 📈 Multiple club records broken
The Spotlight Interview. Louis and Emelia- Water Polo Captains:
Q.1 Tell us about the team this season – what are your biggest goals and highlights so far?
- ‘The men’s Water Polo Team had a very successful year. Winning the league, Northern Conference Cup, and the annual Roses match against rivals Lancaster. This successful season has set us up perfectly for the upcoming year where we are retaining all players and aiming to have an impact as the newest arrivals in Northern Tier 1.
- The women’s team had a challenging year, starting the year with only 3 experienced players and working hard to build up a talented and enthusiastic squad. Despite a tough season competing in Northern Tier 1 and the National Cup, the team managed to snatch a hard-fought victory against top-ranked Durham 2s and got many players their first ever water polo experience and goals.’
Q2. How do you balance intense training schedules with university studies and student life?
- ‘Pre-planning sessions with each other and the vice captains has made the responsibility of leading sessions a lot more manageable.’
Q3. What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to incoming freshers wanting to join a sports team?
- ‘Just do it. You make some of your best friends through joining societies, so it is always worth continuing a sport or trying something new (water polo).’
Q4. As student athletes, what are the most important factors when choosing where to live?
- ‘Being close to the training grounds and the pub, for post-match recovery.’
Q5. Have you had any funny or memorable experiences with teammates while house-hunting?
- ‘While hunting for a team house, we accidentally walked into a beautifully staged home that we thought was an open house, only to realize midway through testing the kitchen island that the confused owners were just hosting a private family brunch. We made a swift, highly awkward exit, but it definitely bonded us for life.’
Q6. What are the biggest challenges student renters face?
- Keeping within budget, managing household bills and staying on top of paperwork can all be challenging when renting student accommodation for the first time.
Q7. If you could give one tip to other students about choosing a letting agent or landlord, what would it be?
- Choose a letting agent or landlord who offers in-person viewings and, wherever possible, speak to previous tenants or read verified student reviews before signing your tenancy agreement.
Q8. How important is it to live close to your teammates?
- Living close to teammates makes it much easier to walk to training, socialise after sessions and support one another throughout the year.
Q9. What does the WhichPad sponsorship mean to the team?
- “The team is incredibly proud to have WhichPad as our sponsor. An incredibly important part of our club identity is about welcoming and supporting new members into our community, regardless of their previous experience with either Swimming or Water Polo, making their lives at university as enjoyable as possible.
- One of the biggest challenges new students often face is navigating finding housing and feeling comfortable with making decisions about where they’ll live at university. WhichPad offers an opportunity for not just our own club members but students across the University of York to have a better insight into the student housing market, making them more comfortable and secure when making big decisions. As a result, the club is very proud to represent and be sponsored by WhichPad.”
Q10. What’s next for the team?
- “To keep on developing on our successes as a squad. Most importantly, having a great year and winning both our men’s and women’s league”
University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club
🚀 Rapid Fire Round with Andrew- Men’s Swim Captain
Favourite study spot on campus?
- “Fairhurst group study areas on a Monday morning”
“Best takeaway near your student house?
- ‘Middle feast’
“House-hunting horror story or win?
- “Win: Somehow the whole of UYSWC basically live directly next to each other.”
“Early morning training or late-night revision?”
- “Early Morning training.”
“Must-have item in every student rental?
- ‘Air Fryer/ Jason Riley Poster’
“Dream post-match celebration location?
- “Maccies/ Club Salvation”
“One thing you wish you knew before signing your first tenancy?
- “Places in York aren’t as far away from each other as you might think they are at first glance.”
“Teammate you’d most trust as a housemate?
- “Natasha Greer”
“Best thing about being part of this team?
- “Family mentality where everyone has your back.”
Shoutout to a teammate who deserves more recognition!
“Grace Wareing-Yeulett”
UYSWC athletes agreed that choosing the right student accommodation is about more than finding the cheapest rent. Living close to training facilities, understanding household bills and choosing reliable landlords or letting agents can make university life much easier. Their biggest recommendation is to read verified student reviews before signing a tenancy agreement.
Finding student accommodation in York can be competitive, especially before the start of the academic year. Whether you’re searching for a house close to the University of York or looking for trusted letting agents and landlords, reading genuine student reviews can help you make more informed renting decisions. WhichPad provides verified student reviews to help students find accommodation with confidence.
A huge thank you to the University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club for sharing their experiences with us. Whether you’re preparing for university, looking for student accommodation in York or comparing letting agents, learning from other students can help you make better housing decisions. WhichPad is proud to support student athletes while providing students with trusted reviews of landlords, letting agents and student accommodation across the UK.
- ⭐ Letting Agent Reviews in York
- 📝 Leave a Review for Agents in York on WhichPad
- 🎓 More University Sports Club Interviews
University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club @uyswc
WhichPad @whichpadonline
