MEDIA RELEASE

Water Polo NSW sets goal to support NSW athletes selected for Australian age teams

Expressions of interest sought for oversight committee

Water Polo NSW has set an ambitious goal: to make participation in Australian age-representative teams free for eligible NSW athletes.

The proposed Australian Age Team Athlete Support Fund aims to bring the water polo community together to help meet the compulsory costs athletes face when selected to represent Australia.

Water Polo NSW is now seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to join an oversight committee to help develop and implement the initiative.

Representing Australia is a significant achievement and the result of years of commitment by athletes, their families, coaches and clubs. However, the costs associated with national team participation can place considerable pressure on families.

The proposed fund would seek to cover approved compulsory costs associated with official Australian age-team selection, including team fees, required travel and accommodation, and mandatory preparation directly linked to selection.

The long-term goal is to provide this support to every eligible NSW athlete, regardless of family income or their individual ability to raise funds.

The proposed eligibility criteria would require an athlete to be ordinarily resident in NSW at the time of selection and to have lived in NSW for at least three completed consecutive seasons before selection. Detailed eligibility rules and the costs covered will be finalised as part of the policy development process.

Water Polo NSW President, Shannan Johansen, said the initiative was about ensuring talented young athletes could pursue the opportunity to represent Australia with the support of the whole water polo community.

“Being selected to represent your country should be a moment of pride and excitement for an athlete and their family,” Mr Johansen said.

“Our goal is to build a sustainable, community-wide fund that helps meet the compulsory costs of Australian age-team participation, so that eligible NSW athletes can focus on representing their country.

“This is an ambitious goal, and achieving it will require the support of clubs, districts, alumni, businesses, sponsors and donors across our water polo community.

“We are looking for people with ideas, experience and a passion for supporting young athletes to help us turn this goal into a practical and sustainable program.”

Oversight committee: expressions of interest

Water Polo NSW is seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to contribute to the establishment and oversight of the fund.

The committee is expected to assist with:

• Developing the policy, including eligibility, funding and application arrangements.
• Identifying fundraising, sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
• Consulting with clubs, districts, athletes, families and other stakeholders.
• Supporting transparent financial oversight, reporting and evaluation.
• Helping develop a sustainable approach to supporting future Australian age-team athletes.

Expressions of interest are welcome from people with experience in areas such as fundraising, sponsorship, finance, governance, community engagement, water polo and athlete pathways. Water Polo NSW also welcomes interest from former athletes, parents and representatives from regional and metropolitan communities.

The proposed fund is in its development stage. The final policy, implementation arrangements and timing will be subject to Water Polo NSW Board consideration. A guarantee of full funding for a particular group of athletes will only be announced once the Board has approved the relevant costs and sufficient funding has been secured.

To express your interest please send a brief outline of your experience, why you would like to be involved and the contribution you could make to:

Email: noel.harrod@waterpolonsw.org.au
Closing date: 10 November 2026

For further information on the oversight committee please contact Noel Harrod at noel.harrod@waterpolonsw.org.au or on 0407 32 45 37.

Further information about the initiative and the committee will be provided as the proposal progresses.

Selected for Australia. Supported by NSW.