Having competed in underwater rugby in Brisbane for nearly two years, Maeva Guyomar decided it was time Young got a taste of the action.

And with summer here it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It’s pretty good when it’s hot outside, you can still exercise and be in the water, so it’s pretty good and it’s something different,” she said.

The first match was played at the Young Aquatic Centre on Monday night with six players attending.

A good effort to begin with, but Maeva hopes to get up to 12 players involved.

“It’s very tiring, you’ve got to hold your breath while playing under the water, so you get tired pretty quickly,” she said.

“That’s why it’s good to have a few more people - if you’ve got enough people you can go in and out of the game and have a rest.”

The rules of underwater rugby differ slightly from regular rugby - understandably, considering it’s under water.

“It can be tricky...because we’re only starting we aren’t playing proper rules as per recommended on the UK website, but it’s more for a social aspect than really a competitive one. It’s more just for fun than a serious game of set rules,” Maeva said.

“But it’s the same idea - you  try score a goal in the opposite side, the person who has the ball can be tackled and you just pass the ball from one person to the other and try score a goal.”

Organisers plan on making the game a weekly event to be held on Monday nights between 6pm and 7pm. It will come at zero cost, except an entry fee to the pool.

The group is open to everyone, from men to women of all age groups.

“Anyone can join, you don’t need any experience,” Maeva said.

All you need is a pair of fins, a mask and a snorkel.

If you’re interested in playing a match in the New Year, get online and like the Young Underwater Rugby page where further dates will be posted.