Manchester’s Aquatics Centre to host Water Polo tournament ‘celebrating legacy’ of key man to sport

This is that the newly named Mike Glover Cup will be taking place in the city this weekend. This Winter festival of Water Polo will take place at the Aquatics centre on January 11.

The full day event will see 28 teams from across the country descend on Manchester representing three age groups. The tournament has been renamed to celebrate the legacy of a man key to water polo in Manchester.

Mike Glover was the founder of The City of Manchester Water Polo Club and former President. He was also one the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) President and has impacted the sport across three decades, a career which also included being Head Coach of the Team GB women’s team.

The club is one of the most successful in the country, and is known for having a good ability of nurturing talent. In the last year, 23 of the club's players have represented across various age groups. Most notably, seven players from Manchester were part of the GB Women’s Team that competed in the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup in Istanbul this December, securing wins against Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Turkey.

Theo Nousios, Head Coach at City of Manchester Water Polo Club, shared his excitement about the upcoming tournament: "The Mike Glover Cup is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of Mike’s enduring legacy and the vibrant water polo community he helped build. Hosting teams from across the country reflects the growing passion for this sport, and we’re proud to provide a platform for players to showcase their talent and dedication."

Ticket details for The Mike Glover Cup

The event starts at 10am on January 11, and tickets can be bought at the Aquatics Centre. Prices are £10 for families, £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and you’ll be able to watch 78 matches throughout the day.