CMAS Underwater Hockey Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 1 | March 2025
A Strong Start to 2025: Growth, Development, and Exciting Milestones Ahead
The year has kicked off to a strong start, with all CMAS Colleges successfully holding their first meetings. While participation in some of these meetings has been lower than expected, we remain optimistic that engagement will grow as the year progresses.
The first survey of the year, the CMAS Development Committee Survey, has been published. Its purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of the global underwater hockey landscape. By gathering as much data as possible, we can strategically plan the next steps in advancing the sport to new heights. Your input is invaluable, and we encourage everyone to participate.
This year also marks a significant milestone, as the first qualifying tournaments for the 2027 World Championships begin.
We are excited and energized, not only to support these events but also to drive forward key developments aimed at strengthening and uniting our sport.
Intercontinental Events - Are you ready?
We are thrilled to announce the team entries for the upcoming CMAS Intercontinental Championships. Europe | Africa have confirmed their team entries which are building by the week:
- 2 Masters Women teams and 5 Masters Men teams
- 9 Elite Women teams and 8 Elite Men teams
Additionally, Asia | Oceania has received a strong number of age group team entries, marking an incredible step forward in the development of the sport. Along with these, elite and masters teams from the region have also begun securing their spots. Entry fee deadlines:
Europe 31st March 2025 | Asia 1st June 2025.
Breaking News - The 1st CMAS Panamerican Championship is Confirmed! We are excited to officially confirm the 1st CMAS Panamerican Championship for Elite & Masters Underwater Hockey, taking place in Ibagué, Colombia from 15th August - 20th August 2025.
This four-day tournament is set to bring together top teams from across the Panamerican region.
- Final Entry Deadline: 30 June 2025
- Payment Due: 1 April 2025
With team announcements rolling in and swimsuit approvals underway, now is the time to finalize your participation! Don't delay - get your teams registered and prepare for an unforgettable competition.
Masters Age - At the Board of Directors meeting on 8 February, a decision was made to decline the rule change proposed by the CMAS Commission. As a result, there will be no changes to the Masters age classification. For all tournaments, the Masters age remains 35 years and older for both male and female participants.
Anti-doping News and Updates
CMAS, as the International Federation, maintains a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) of athletes who are subject to testing anytime, anywhere. This program, managed by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on behalf of CMAS, includes an underwater hockey athlete. The CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission fully supports this initiative to promote clean sport and uphold the integrity of competition.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen anti-doping measures, a new requirement has been introduced in the registration process. Athletes, team staff, tournament officials, and referees must now complete the ADEL (Anti-Doping Education and Learning) certification.
The ADEL course is a four-hour online program designed to educate participants on anti-doping regulations and responsibilities.
Upon successful completion, a certificate is issued. For CMAS-sanctioned events, this certificate must be uploaded to the athlete's profile on the CMAS portal.
This initiative underscores CMAS's commitment to ensuring a fair and drug-free sporting environment. All stakeholders are encouraged to complete the certification process promptly to comply with these new regulations.
Important Rules Updates for 2025
The CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission is pleased to announce the publication of three important documents on the CMAS website. These updates are essential for ensuring consistency, clarity, and fairness in the organisation and execution of CMAS-sanctioned tournaments. The new documents include the revised Tournament Regulations, the updated Rules of Play Manual, and the newly established Player Eligibility Rules.
1. UWH Tournament Regulations
The UWH Tournament Regulations document sets out the standardised requirements for all CMAS-sanctioned underwater hockey tournaments.
This update provides clearer guidance for event organisers, ensuring that competitions are run efficiently and consistently across all levels.
National Federations are encouraged to align their local tournaments with these regulations to promote uniformity within the sport.
This document replaces the previous 'Procedures and Obligations for the Organisation of Underwater Hockey Competitions' and now includes specific regulations for the newly established Intercontinental Championships. Organisers and team managers should familiarise themselves with these updated tournament regulations to ensure compliance with CMAS standards.
2. UWH Rules of Play
The official Rules of Play Manual has been streamlined into a single comprehensive document, replacing the previous Volume 1 and Volume 2 structure. This consolidation makes it easier for players, referees, and coaches to access and understand the rules governing the game.
This essential guide covers all aspects of the game, including:
- Court dimensions and playing area
- Equipment regulations
- Gameplay and scoring
- Fouls and penalties
- Responsibilities of referees and officials
This update ensures clarity and ease of use for everyone involved in underwater hockey, from beginners to elite-level competitors.
3. Rule Determination: Player Eligibility
With the 2025 Intercontinental Championships approaching, the CMAS Commission has introduced a Rule Determination for Player Eligibility, effective from 1 January 2025. This update addresses confusion among National Federations and players regarding eligibility requirements for CMAS competitions.
This document:
- Clarifies player eligibility rules for CMAS Category A competitions and how they will be interpreted.
- Confirms the effective date of these rules.
- Provides practical examples to guide teams and federations.
These new eligibility rules will apply to all CMAS tournaments from 1 January 2025, including the upcoming three Intercontinental Championships scheduled for this year.
All the updated Rules are published on this site - HOW TO/REGULATIONS
Diving Deeper: Strengthening UWH's Global Connection Through Social Media
Building on insights from the recent Participation and Communication Survey, the CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission is taking the next step in improving communication across our community. While last year saw significant progress, there's still room to grow - and that's where our new Social Media Group comes in!
This initiative aims to enhance UWH's online presence, foster engagement, and keep the global community informed. By promoting tournaments worldwide and sharing key updates, we're creating a dynamic space for connection, collaboration, and growth.
To make this a success, we're calling on each country to designate a representative who can keep the group updated with events and news from their region. Let's work together to strengthen our community and expand UWH's global reach!
Stay tuned for more details on how to get involved.
