25 years of showing up. Here's how we're celebrating
A Note From our President
Twenty-five years ago, twelve people decided to build a water polo club where LGBTQIA+ people could belong in sport. No coach. No blueprint. Just a belief that this space was worth creating — and a choice, after the 2002 Sydney Gay Games, to keep going.
That choice echoes in everything we do today. More than 200 members. Teams competing at home and internationally. A community that shows up for each other in and out of the pool.
This year, we're celebrating properly. The Celebration Series brings together everything that makes Stingers what we are — competition, community, visibility, and fun. Join us for as much of it as you can.
Beck Colechin (She/Her)
President, Sydney Stingers
Events
Support the Action
Thank you to sponsors and supporters
The 25 Years Celebration Series is made possible with the generous support of our partners and funders.
City of Ryde — for funding Rainbow Cup 2026 through the Sports and Recreation Grant
Water Polo Australia — our partner in bringing LGBTQIA+ visibility to the 2026 Water Polo World Cup
[Additional supporters will be added here once confirmed]
Need support to get involved?
We believe cost shouldn't be a barrier to being part of the Celebration Series. If you'd like to participate in any of this year's events but are facing financial barriers, please reach out privately, support may be available. Contact the Treasurer.
Acknowledgement of Community
Sydney Stingers stands on the foundations laid by everyone who came before us, including the twelve people who showed up in 2001 with no coach and no blueprint. The players, coaches, administrators, and volunteers who kept the club going year after year. The members who have moved on, moved away, or are no longer with us.
For more than 25 years, this club has existed because people chose to show up, care for one another, and build community through water polo.
Acknowledgement of Country
Sydney Stingers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we train, compete, and gather — the Wallumedegal, Gadigal, and Cammeraygal peoples of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.