Water Polo NSW Board Update

As we near the end of the 2024/25 summer season, we want to update our members on key developments within Water Polo NSW. We are pleased to introduce our newly appointed Board: Anna Gladman (Interim President), Shaun Clyne, Laura Redgrove, Brendan Fannin, Noel Harrod, Shannan Johansen, Shaun McEachin, Lisa May, and Deb Watson. Our Board is committed to strong leadership and governance on behalf of our members and in May will be engaging in a Governance Workshop in line with the current Governance Action Plan to enhance effectiveness.
 
Financial stability has been a major focus over the past year, and we are pleased to report significant progress in strengthening our financial position. This improvement allows us to confidently invest in key areas that enhance services and support the sport’s development for the future. Additionally, we are launching a Strategic Planning Process to shape our roadmap for the future, leading to the 2025-30 + 2yrs Strategic Plan.  We look forward to engaging with you in this process.
 
Strengthening our regional presence remains a priority, as highlighted in our recent Regional Presidents Meeting. This gathering allowed key representatives from across the state to discuss challenges and opportunities, ensuring we tailor development strategies and resources to support our clubs. Agreed service plans for the upcoming season will help drive regional growth and engagement.
 
A safe, inclusive, and respectful environment remains at the core of Water Polo NSW. We are reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding and member protection through updated policies and education programs for athletes, coaches, officials, and fans. We encourage all members to engage with these resources and contribute to a positive community culture. Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to an exciting season finale and the ongoing growth of our sport.
 
Water Polo NSW Board

Regional Areas Service Plan
Water Polo NSW has commenced the initial stage of the regional service plan as part of the Water Polo NSW Strategic Plan Re-set. The aim of the plan is to identify priority areas of service in the regions and then implement, monitor, and review the impact.

Progress Update
Water Polo NSW is about 80% through stage 1 of the project and will conclude the stakeholder meetings by mid-March.  We have met many stakeholders from local clubs in-person and there are some themes emerging around competitions, funding, high performance pathways, integrity, behaviours, governance and operational capability for Clubs, Associations and Water Polo NSW.

The process we are using focuses on qualitative data and sharing the feedback across all stakeholders, developing a mutual appreciation of the opportunities and challenges facing the entire community. Our longer-term objective is to build trust between all parties through service plans that are practical and provide clarity for all stakeholders. 

Strategic Plan

Important Integrity Webinar Alert: Join us for a crucial session on 'Planning overnight stays and travel' with Sport Integrity Australia's Assistant Director Safeguarding, Mathew Sinclair.

This is particulary relevant if you are a club travelling to Perth in April for the  WPA Australian Youth Championships.

📅 Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30pm

Through an interactive case study, learn practical approaches to planning team travel with young athletes and ensure proper safeguarding measures. Mathew brings extensive experience in sports safety and child protection.

Register now to enhance your knowledge in creating safe sporting environments for our youth athletes! For registration see your club secretary or email enquiries: equiries@waterpolonsw.org.au 🤽‍♀️

Water Polo NSW is proud to announce we have recently secured grant funding to complete targeted Coach and Referee Development Programs. The Macquarie Sports Foundation Grant will allow Water Polo NSW to deliver Referee Development Programs targeted at introducing U18 Regional Members to refereeing and fast tracking their development and accreditation to allow them to officiate both local and Water Polo NSW Sanctioned Competitions and Events. 

Additionally we have secured funding via Water Polo Australia and the Australian Sports Commissions Play Well Grant to enable Water Polo NSW to deliver both Coach and Referee Development Programs for all ages to existing coaches and referees in both metro and regional NSW. These development opportunities will further develop the breadth of coaching and officiating experience in NSW. 

Finally, a grant secured via the NSW Office of Sport Organisational Support Program will see Water Polo NSW deliver the first instalment of the Women’s Coaching Coffee Club. This program will target female coaches and discuss the barriers to participation, growth and development in female coaches across a broad spectrum of community, school, representative and elite coaching.

Stay tuned to find out more.

The NSW Masters Championships
The NSW Masters Championships were held from the 22nd – 23rd February at the Tamworth War Memorial Leisure Centre. This event was open to teams in the Men’s and Women’s Competition. A summary of the event can be found below:

-        14 Teams 
-        133 Participants
-        1 venue
-        1 field of play
-        29 matches

A summary of results is included below:

Men:
🥇 Lake Macquarie Dolphins
🥈 Watsons Bay Blue
🥉 Easts
Women:
🥇 Gosford
🥈 Wise Wombats
🥉 The Aquarium (Central Newcastle/Easts Composite Team)

The U12s Festival - The Big Orange
From the 7th - 9th March U12's players and their coaches, support staff and familes descended upon the Orange Aquatic Centre for the 6th instalment of The Big Orange Under 12s Carnival. This carnival is a tremendouse demonstration of grassroots sport and a fantastic opportunity for new players to have their first "Tournament Experience." We would like to thank all the local volunteers who assisted in the running of such a fantastic carnival. A summary of the event can be found below:

-        13 Teams 
-        122 Participants
-        1 venue
-        2 field of play
-        49 matches

A special congratulations must also go to our podium teams:

U12 Boys:
🥇 Sydney University
🥈 Hunter Hurricanes
🥉 Sydney University

U12 Girls:
🥇Sydney University
🥈Hunter Hurricanes
🥉Southern Highlands

The NSW Summer Metropolitan Competition enters its penultimate round this week prior to the finals series commencing from the 22nd of March. Water Polo NSW wishes teams the best of luck in the final rounds and extends an invitation to all members to attend a match on Grand Final Weekend, the 29th and 30th March. The finals information is as follows.

• Division 1 Finals 29/3 – Pymble Ladies College
• Junior Finals 30/3 – Ryde Aquatic Centre
• Junior Finals 30/3 – Pymble Ladies College
• Division 2 Men’s Finals – 1/4 Ryde Aquatic Centre
• Division 2 Women’s Finals – 2/4 Ryde Aquatic Centre

All game times and fixtures can be found on the WPNSW Fixtures & Results webpage HERE

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