Underwater hockey tournament checklist

Use this checklist to organise an underwater hockey tournament from the first pool booking to the final medal presentation. Set the date and rules before opening registration, then build the match schedule once team entries are known. Allow time to brief officials and volunteers, check every piece of pool equipment, and prepare participant information. On the day, scoreboards, spare masks and snorkels, reserve pucks, refreshments and a clearly staffed registration point prevent small problems from delaying matches.

Use this plan

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Confirm tournament date
Reserve pool
Set tournament rules
2 people
Draw up the match schedule
2 people
Invite teams
Open registration form
Invite officials
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Process registrations
2 people
Check payments
Publish the match schedule
Send participant information
Prepare officials briefing
2 people
Check sports equipment
2 people
Check the shopping list
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect prizes and medals
Print team assignments
Print registration forms
Set out sports bags
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
Prepare snacks
3 people
Open venue
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up the course
4 people
Set up goals and lines
4 people
Prepare sports equipment
3 people
Test sound system
2 people
Put up signage
2 people
Check safety equipment
2 people

Event

Welcome officials
2 people
Register teams
3 people
Hand out team bags
2 people
Give the officials briefing
2 people
Welcome participants
Give the opening briefing
2 people
Supervise races
6 people
Keep track of match scores
2 people
Handle announcements
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Refill snacks
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Check results
2 people
Announce finalists
Lead the final
6 people
Handle prize ceremony
3 people
Take team photos
2 people
See participants off
2 people

Aftercare

Gather sports equipment
4 people
Remove goals and lines
4 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Sort waste
2 people
Check changing rooms
2 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Let equipment dry
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Send results to teams
Share photos with participants
Settle outstanding costs

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8
Party tentsqty 2
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12
Presentation table

Sports equipment

Underwater hockey sticksqty 70
Underwater hockey pucksqty 12
Dive masksqty 70
Snorkelsqty 70
Water polo capsqty 80
Earplugsqty 80
Goalsqty 4
Field linesqty 8
Competition whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 4
Spare glassesqty 10
Spare snorkelsqty 10
Reserve pucksqty 8
Material cratesqty 10
Towelsqty 30
First aid kitsqty 2
Cold packsqty 12
Waterproof first aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Waterproof scorecardsqty 30
Lamination sleevesqty 50
Water-resistant pensqty 20
Team bibsqty 80
Fluorescent tapeqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Megaphone
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12
Power banksqty 4
Socket coversqty 8
Waterproof walkie-talkiesqty 6
Digital camera
Backup memory cardsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Corkscrewsqty 2

Decorations

Tournament bannersqty 4
Team table labelsqty 8
Direction arrowsqty 12
Name stickersqty 100
Prize displaysqty 3
Medalsqty 30
Cupsqty 3
Certificatesqty 30

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Extendable string lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Paper towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Book the pool before inviting teams, and confirm how much time you have for setup, changing rooms, matches and clearing the venue. A tournament needs more than the playing slots alone.
Set the tournament rules and match format before opening registration. Once entries close, allow at least 1–2 hours to draw up and check the schedule before publishing it.
Count specialist equipment by player and by field, then add backup items. Keep spare glasses, spare snorkels and reserve pucks in labelled material crates so volunteers can find them between matches.
Send participants the schedule, team assignments, venue information and any dietary questions before tournament day. Print a small number of registration forms and assignments as a backup if the laptop or printer fails.
Prepare the officials briefing, scoreboards, stopwatches, whistles and microphone before opening the venue. Chill drinks, make coffee and tea, and set out snacks before the first teams arrive rather than during the opening briefing.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise an underwater hockey tournament?: Start at least 8–12 weeks ahead. Reserve the pool first, then confirm the rules, invite teams and officials, and close registration early enough to build the match schedule.
How long does it take to make an underwater hockey tournament schedule?: Allow 1–2 hours after registration closes to place teams, check match spacing and resolve clashes. Publish the final schedule at least 3–5 days before the tournament.
What backup equipment do I need for an underwater hockey tournament?: Prepare spare glasses, spare snorkels and reserve pucks, then check them before opening the venue. Keep replacement items accessible in material crates rather than packed away with the main equipment.
When should volunteers and officials be briefed?: Brief officials and key volunteers 30–60 minutes before opening, with enough time to test whistles, stopwatches, scoreboards and the microphone. Send the written match rules and schedule in advance so the briefing stays focused.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.