Welcome to our November newsletter!
This promises to be a newsletter full of exciting NSW Water Polo news. |
| A Message From The President |
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The 2025/26 season is off to a fantastic start, with over 400 games played in the past month across Regional, Metro, and Super League competitions — a true testament to the engagement of our water polo community.
Due to the tireless efforts of our Club volunteers in pre-season we have registrations tracking ahead of the past few seasons and are at 84% of total membership from the 2024/25 season.
We’re now gearing up for the State Championships, running 1–11 December, featuring 128 teams from U12s to U22s — a 17% increase on last year. Thank you to all parents, clubs, referees, and coaches for your incredible efforts in preparing teams during this busy period.
Across regional NSW, coaching and referee clinics have been delivered in Central Coast, Newcastle, Tamworth, Narrabri, Coffs Harbour, and the Far North Coast, helping strengthen local competitions and participation. We’re also delighted to welcome Bathurst Water Polo as a new affiliated club, connecting the Central West, and continuing the legacy started by the Orange City Council.
The FunFit initiative in collaboration with Water Polo Australia continues to grow, offering adult “come and try” sessions in Central Coast, Macquarie, Drummoyne, and Coffs Harbour, providing a fun, social entry point for new and returning players.
Recently completed Retention and Churn data reports will soon be shared with clubs to share insights and support local planning and engagement.
Our partnership with ACPE remains strong through student internships and an integrated learning unit, and we’re proud to be a Finalist for the Sport NSW Organisation of the Year in the 2025 NSW Champions of Sport Awards (winner announced 24 November).
Finally, our Legacy Agreement with the City of Ryde has been extended through 2026–2030, ensuring the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre continues as a vital home base for our sport.
Thank you to everyone for your energy and teamwork — together we’re building a stronger, more connected water polo community across NSW.
Warm regards,
Lisa May
President, Water Polo NSW
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| News, Updates and Opportunities |
Water Polo NSW and City of Ryde Extend Partnership to Strengthen the Sport’s Olympic Legacy
Water Polo NSW have announced the extension of its long-standing partnership with the City of Ryde, ensuring the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre (RALC) will continue as a home for water polo development and competition in New South Wales.
The RALC hosted many water polo games throughout the 2000 Sydney Olympics, after the women's team battled for inclusion and gender equality to be able to compete in the Games.
The agreement was originally established in 1999 and recognised RALC’s pivotal role as an Olympic venue for both men’s and women’s water polo in New South Wales.
The renewed agreement was formally celebrated at a ceremony held at RALC on Monday 27 October.
Full details are on our website.
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NSW Champions of Sport Awards Finalist
We’re proud to announce that Water Polo NSW has been named a finalist for Organisation of the Year at the 2025 NSW Champions of Sport Awards!
This recognition reflects the incredible dedication and passion of our athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs, associations, committees, and supporters who make our sport what it is today.
Thank you to our entire water polo community - this achievement belongs to all of you!
Read more on the Sport NSW website. |
Water Polo NSW Hits the Regional Roads!
 Water Polo NSW has officially launched its Regional Service Plans for 2025–26, aimed at strengthening connections and support for regional Clubs and Associations across NSW.
The launch began in Newcastle and the Central Coast with Coaching Clinics at Lambton Pool, led by Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill, Assistant Coach Dean Semmens, and Sharks players Matthew Wilson and Laurence Barker, followed by a Referee Clinic at Wyong Pool with Stef Jelic and Mike Westdorp.
The regional rollout continued in Tamworth, where Kate Pipkin and Milos Drobnjak led a coaching clinic, and Hannah Baker and Zoe Dowell delivered a referee clinic for Tamworth and Narrabri members. Meanwhile, in Ballina, Ryan McEwenand Thomas Jones hosted a successful referee clinic for Far North Coast and Coffs Harbour members.
These clinics mark the first steps in delivering the Regional Service Plans, supporting local coaches, referees, and officials, and driving the growth of water polo across NSW.
More information can be found on our website. |
| Events & Competitions Update |
Super League
The 2025-26 Super League Season is now well under way.
Keep an eye out for fixtures, results, ladders and exciting content with players on our Instagram.
Don't forget that one game for the men's and women's games will be broadcast on our YouTube Channel.
See weekly round-up and previews on our website. |
State Championships Merch - Pre-Order Now!
The official Water Polo NSW State Championship Shop is now open!
Pre-orders are available until 15 November — don’t miss your chance to grab exclusive event gear before it’s gone.
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Meet Kris!
Kris Honor-Wilson joins us as our new Competitions Coordinator, a role he will take on alongside his ongoing position as Referees Coordinator.
With a lifelong dedication to sport, from his beginnings as a swimmer and Water Polo player through to various coaching roles, Kris brings a wealth of experience and passion to the Water Polo NSW team.
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Meet Caitlin!
Introducing our our new Events and Regional Development Coordinator, Caitlin Lochhead.
As a retired Scottish International Artistic Gymnast, Caitlin brings experience in the organistation of competitions and events, ensuring they are run smoothly, on time and up to a high standard.
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Meet Louise!
Louise Cranston joins Water Polo NSW as an Event Manager.
With most of her experience coming from the world of track and field, Louise represented NSW in heptathlon and for the past three and a half years, has worked as the Sport Event Manager at Athletics NSW.
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NSW Athletes Selected in the U16 and U18 Preliminary Squads
We are pleased that 72 NSW athletes have been selected as part of Water Polo Australia's preliminary National U16 and U18 Development Squads following the recent 2025 National State Championships that were held in Canberra. This is an increase of 24 players compared to last year.
A full list of the athletes selected can be found on our website.
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EOI for Coaches for 2026 State Team Programs
We would like Expressions of Interest (EOI) from coaches who are passionate about contributing to the 2026 WPNSW Pathways Programs.
This early EOI process enables WPNSW to identify a wider network of coaches interested in engaging with our pathways programs in the upcoming year.
We are seeking expressions of interest for the following programs and roles:
• 2026 WPNSW Development Academy (U13, U14, U15, U16)
• 2026 WPNSW State Team Program (15&U, 17&U)
• Specialist Coaching /Selection Camps & Clinics
• Talent Squads (Nationally Identified Athletes)
• NSW Women’s Futures – Development Program (Categorised women athletes), including Strength & Conditioning Coaches, Gym Support Roles, and Specialist Coaching positions.
• NSW Country Teams Coach (Competing at Australian Country Championships)
WPNSW looks forward to engaging with coaches committed to developing the next generation of athletes through our pathways initiatives.
Fill in the survey to express your interest.
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Paid Table Officials Expressions of Interest 
We are seeking paid Table Officials to run the table for the Super League Season.
The duties will include the Scorecard, Clock and Flags for the games.
If you are interested in being a paid Table Official please complete this survey |
Club Grant for Coaching and Referee Development
Water Polo NSW is excited to offer affiliated clubs and associations the chance to strengthen their referee and coaching pathways through dedicated funding support.
Thanks to the Office of Sport NSW, clubs can access up to $800 to invest in accreditation, workshops, mentoring, or professional development initiatives.
This initiative reflects Water Polo NSW’s ongoing commitment to growing and empowering quality referees and coaches, ensuring safe, fair, and enjoyable experiences across all levels of the sport.
Interested clubs are encouraged to complete a short survey outlining how they would use the funding to support local development.
Applications are open for four weeks, closing at 5pm on Saturday 6 December — don’t miss your chance to make a lasting impact in your club.
Apply here.
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WPNSW Sport Integrity Policy
We have recently published our Sport Integrity Policy. It aims to ensure that our sport maintains a positive reputation in the community by ensuring that our children are safe, our sport is played in a respectful manner, the competition is fair and prohibited substances and methods do not find their way into our sport.
This Policy outlines the reasonable standing directions to WPNSW Workers which are necessary to achieve this aim.
The policy can be found on our website.
WPNSW Formal Complaint Form
At WPNSW we have updated our Formal Complaint Form, which encompasses the National Integrity Framework, a set of policies that address key threats to the integrity of water polo in Australia.
If you would like to make a complaint, on any threats to integrity which can include doping, match-fixing, and discriminatory or abusive behaviour, you can do so here. |
New Sport Integrity Reporting Forms
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has updated the reporting function on their website to make it easier for the public to share information related to integrity in sport.
The new reporting forms simplify the process and provide clearer pathways for submitting information across three key areas:
- Reporting a breach of the National Integrity Framework (NIF)
- Making a doping related report
- Providing information relevant to sport integrity, this can be done anonymously.
This update follows the recent launch of SIA's new and improved website and is supported by a new case management system that will streamline workflows across the agency.
SIA remains committed to protecting the integrity of sport and creating a safe, fair and inclusive environment for all involved.
You can view the reporting page here.
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Check out what's happening in the WPNSW Community! Have a good news story or information to share? Let us know by emailing enquiries@waterpolonsw.org.au. |
Sydney Stingers Beach Water Polo 4s
LAST CHANCE TO REGISER FOR STINGERS BEACH 4s!
Registration for Stingers Beach Water Polo 4s closes Tuesday 12 November - grab your team and register before you miss out!
Beach 4s is a fast-paced and fun format of our sport, and the day is a great chance for a social outing in the sun and sand at Manly Cove with other players from across Sydney. Last year 10 different clubs from across Sydney Metro (and beyond) were there, vying for the comp and rec titles and playing the Stingers' beachside games. Grab your team, or register as an individual, and come make a splash with us!
📅 Sunday November 16th 2025
📍 Manly Cove
🤽 Teams of 4 to 8 people, competitive or recreational divisions (both mixed all-gender). You can also register as an individual; if your team isn’t full we might place an individual registrant in your team.
💰 $400 team entry, $70 individual entry
⏳ Register today
Beach Water Polo 4s is a fun, social comp organised by Sydney Stingers Water Polo. Have questions about the event? Reach out to events@sydneystingers.org.au.
read more >
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Sydney is Set to Host the 2026 Water Polo World Cup Finals!
Water Polo NSW is excited to congratulate Water Polo Australia for securing this prestigious event.
The world’s top eight men’s and women’s national water polo teams will compete for the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup crowns in Sydney, with both tournaments set to take place from 20–26 July 2026.
Read the full news article online. |
Sport is for Every BODY 
Even well-meaning comments about how someone looks can make people feel excluded or uncomfortable.
Let’s change the conversation, because when we focus on effort, teamwork and enjoyment, sport becomes a place for everybody.
Explore the resources here. |
Shoosh for Kids resources
Shoosh for Kids encourages positive spectator behaviour at junior sport.
The Office of Sport has developed a suite of digital resources for organisations, clubs and associations to access, use and share so as to amplify the Shoosh for Kids campaign.
Keep it positive. Keep it fun. Keep kids coming back to junior sport!
The resources can be found on The Office for Sport website.
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| Got Some News To Share or any Feedback? |
📬 Stay Connected: We Want to Hear from You!
Got news to share? Questions on your mind? We're all ears!
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We'll dive right in and get back to you as soon as possible!
Thanks for being part of our water polo community. See you poolside soon! 🤽♂️🤽♀️ |
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