What you need for an underwater rugby match

An underwater rugby match needs more than a ball and a pool. You need clearly separated team gear, reliable timing and scoring equipment, and enough dry-side equipment for registration, announcements and changing areas. Check the pool setup before shopping: targets, anchors and field lines must fit the venue, while masks, snorkels and fins need to be available in the right sizes. Drinks, chargers and spare caps are easy to overlook and often become urgent on match day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Bar stoolsqty 6
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Underwater rugby ballsqty 4
Underwater targetsqty 2
Field linesqty 4
Field anchorsqty 8
Blue team vestsqty 15
White team vestsqty 15
Blue swim capsqty 15
White swim capsqty 15
Spare swim capsqty 10
Water polo capsqty 35
Dive masksqty 35
Snorkelsqty 35
Swim finsqty 35
Whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scoreboardsqty 2
Conesqty 12
Storage binsqty 8

Equipment

PA system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Phone chargersqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Coolersqty 4
Speakersqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Soup ladlesqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Ice packsqty 20
Food containersqty 12

Registration

Registration tableclothsqty 2
Name badgesqty 100
Badge holdersqty 100
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 30
Competition foldersqty 12
Competition formsqty 60
Directional signsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Team flagsqty 8
Stage backdrop
Prize display

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Safety vestsqty 12
Non-slip matsqty 10
Barrier tapeqty 6

Cleaning

Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Lemon sports drink - 6 liters
- Red sports drink - 6 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White buns - 80 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 40 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Turkey breast - 2 kilos
- Boiled ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Chicken salad - 2 kilo
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Crudités salad - 3 kilos
- Plain Tortilla Chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Sponge cake cookies - 40 pieces
- Mini muffins - 80 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Sambal - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Sports tape - 8 rolls
- Cold compresses - 12 pieces

Tips

Prepare one complete blue and one complete white team set, including vests and swim caps, before the first team arrives. Add spare swim caps and keep them in a labelled storage bin rather than mixing them with used equipment.
Count the underwater rugby balls, targets, field lines and anchors against the number of playing areas. For one match area, have the full setup ready before teams start warming up, with cones available to mark the dry-side zones.
Test every whistle, stopwatch and scoreboard at least one day before the match. Bring a second timing method and keep the scorekeeping laptop, chargers and phone chargers together so they are not left at the registration desk.
Plan the officials’ and volunteers’ working area separately from the pool deck. A PA system, wireless microphones, extension cords and power strips should be tested with the venue’s available sockets before doors open.
Chill drinks several hours before the first match and place waste bins near the spectator, changing and refreshment areas. Provide changing room benches and enough tables and chairs for registration, officials and team equipment rather than relying on poolside surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for an underwater rugby match?: For one playing area, plan for underwater rugby balls, two targets, field lines, field anchors, team vests, swim caps, whistles, stopwatches and a scoreboard. You may also need masks, snorkels and fins, depending on what the teams and venue provide.
How many spare swim caps should I bring to an underwater rugby match?: Bring at least 10% spare caps, rounded up, and never fewer than 4 for a small match. Keep blue and white spares separate so a damaged or missing cap can be replaced without delaying the next game.
When should I test the PA system and scoreboards?: Test the PA system, microphones, scoreboards and stopwatches at least 24 hours before the match. Repeat a short sound and timing check 60 minutes before the first game, when there is still time to find replacement equipment.
How early should drinks and event supplies be bought?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check equipment at least 3 days before the match. Chill drinks 4 to 6 hours before doors open, and complete the final shopping-list check no later than the day before.

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