Note: Membership years run from 1 September to 31 August. Highlights are listed in reverse chronological order. Full history is available to members in the member zone.

2025-26

Competition & Participation

Metro and INTRA Summer Season 2025/26: Currently in progress

Community & Visibility

Annual Trivia Night
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament

Recognition

Membership year in progress - awards to be presented at end of year celebration

2024-25

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2024/25: W2 team advanced to semi-finals
Metro Winter Season 2025: W4 Zooper Doopers achieved silver medal
INTRA Season 9 (Summer): Thunder Queens won championship
INTRA Season 10 (Winter): Dunkaroos won championship
IGLA 2025 Washington DC: Levi Castlehow represented Sydney Stingers
IGLA Buenos Aires 2025: Sydney Stingers team participation

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
Parramatta Pride Picnic community outreach event
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament
Annette Kellerman TGD Event for trans and gender diverse community engagement
Andrew Boy Charlton Pool Reopening Exhibition Match at newly reopened iconic Sydney pool

Recognition

Annual club awards for this membership year have not been announced yet

Sydney Stingers group celebrating in swimwear after Mardi Gras

Sydney Stingers players dressed in retro netball costumes for a themed event

Sydney Stingers members celebrating after training at Gunyama

Sydney Stingers player winding up for a shot in a rainbow training suit

Sydney Stingers members holding a trophy after a tournament win

2023-24

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2023/24: W2 advanced to semi-finals; W5 and M6 both silver medalists
Metro Winter Season 2024: Lapis Lazulis won championship
INTRA Season 7 (Summer): Retrograde Rascals won championship
INTRA Season 8 (Winter): Aquamarine Armada won championship
IGLA Buenos Aires 2025: Sydney Stingers team participation
Rainbow Grudge Cup: tournament with Sydney Stingers, Melbourne Surge, and Brisbane Tritons

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
Parramatta Pride Picnic community outreach event
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament

Recognition

Inclusion Award: Dean Lane
Coaches Award: Adam Harris
President's Award: Rachel Collier + Michaela Davies

Sydney Stingers celebrating in swimwear before a Mardi Gras event

Sydney Stingers posing together after a summer harbour swim event

Sydney Stingers goalkeeper blocking a shot during training

Sydney Stingers posing after a match at an outdoor pool

Sydney Stingers volunteers running a community stall

Sydney Stingers performing a lift during Mardi Gras parade

Sydney Stingers team smiling after a match at Gunyama

Sydney Stingers group performing at club drag event

Sydney Stingers women’s team relaxing poolside after a match

2022-23

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2022/23: W5 advanced to semi-finals
INTRA Season 5 (Winter): Lust won championship
INTRA Season 6 (Spring): UF-HOs won championship
London IGLA 2023: Placed 1st & 4th in Recreational Division
Gay Games Guadalajara, Mexico: Stingers placed equal 5th, won best outfit award

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
AQuAFest Co-hosted by Sydney Stingers and Sydney Wett Ones swimming club during Sydney World Pride
Parramatta Pride Picnic community outreach

Recognition

Inclusion Award: Celia Tier
Coaches Award: Bryce McMillan
President's Award: Dean Lane

Sydney Stingers group photo at the SCG during the COVID-era Mardi Gras parade

Sydney Stingers performing in rainbow swimwear during the 2022 Mardi Gras parade at the SCG

Sydney Stingers members dressed in rainbow shirts and gold pants at a fundraising event

Sydney Stingers dancing and mingling during a themed party

Sydney Stingers members posing in gold-themed outfits at a club event

Sydney Stingers players sharing a laugh after a tournament match

2021-22

Competition & Participation

INTRA Season 2 (Summer): Competition held
INTRA Season 3 (Winter): Ugly Uggies won championship
Sydney Grudge Match hosted interstate competition

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament
20 Year Celebration event (December 2021)

Recognition

Lifetime Membership Awarded: Kerry Mealing - for over 10 years of extraordinary club contributions
Inclusion Award: Beck Colechin
Coaches Award: Beck Colechin
President's Award: Stephen Timbrell
Head Coaches won WPNSW Coach of the Year

Sydney Stingers group photo at Mardi Gras parade in neon swimmers

Sydney Stingers members in suits at a formal club celebration

Sydney Stingers members and guests dressed for a club dinner event

Stingers players competing in a floating water polo setup in Sydney Harbour

Sydney Stingers teammates sitting poolside after open water polo session

Sydney Stingers teammates in neon gear posing at mardi gras parade

Sydney Stingers members lifting a teammate in green and black during a Mardi Gras performance

2020-21

Competition & Participation

INTRA Season 1 (Winter) launched: Over 50 players in inaugural season; aborted due to COVID-19
First training at Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre
Brisbane Grudge Match: Stingers placed 1st and 2nd

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament

Recognition

Coaches Award: Alexander Kingsford Mortensen
President's Award: Michael Hockey
Lifetime Membership Award: Kerry Mealing

Sydney Stingers posing together as a team

Stingers player and Mardi Gras ambassador smiling during Fair Day event

Sydney Stingers members promoting the club at a fair day

Sydney Stingers player defending during a water polo match

Sydney Stingers team waiting poolside at Rainbow Round match

Sydney Stingers women's players competing during a match

Sydney Stingers posing after Mardi Gras parade in pastel team colours

Sydney Stingers women’s team smiling and seated after a match

2019-20

Competition & Participation

IGLA Melbourne 2020: Stingers won Silver Medal

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament

Recognition

Inclusion Champion Award: Rachel & Kayla
Coaches Award: Karen Hooi
President's Award: Annie Wylie & Nathan Collett

Sydney Stingers team photo after a match at Ryde

Sydney Stingers at Beach Water Polo Fours with players in blue suits

Sydney Stingers group smiling with rainbow gear at Mardi Gras Fair Day

Sydney Stingers women’s team smiling after an evening training session

Sydney Stingers men’s team posing with Water Polo NSW officials

Sydney Stingers members celebrating in themed costumes at a social event

Sydney Stingers players relaxing and smiling after a game

Sydney Stingers players competing in a pool match

Sydney Stingers team posing after a joint training session

2018-19

Competition & Participation

Metro Winter Season 2019: won M5 championship
IGLA New York: Stingers finished 4th in Competitive Division
Perth Pride Challenge interstate competition
Formalised permanent head coaches for club development
Junior coaches development program established

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
Beach Water Polo 4s Tournament
Stingers vs NSW All Stars LGBTIQ+ inclusion match

Recognition

Won Pride in Sport LGBTI Inclusion Initiative Award for Women's Water Polo Team

Sydney Stingers group in rainbow swimmers celebrating poolside

Stingers posing with international teammates at an LGBTQIA+ tournament

Sports Village Mardi Gras display featuring Sydney Stingers members

Water polo action collage from Sydney Stingers tournament match

Sydney Stingers women’s team celebrating medal win at Water Polo NSW event

Stingers members in rainbow swimwear posing at fair day

Sydney Stingers group covered in paint and smiling after a fun run or event

Sydney Stingers performing choreographed routine poolside in themed outfits

Sydney Stingers team celebrating after a game in the pool

2017-18

Competition & Participation

Metro Winter Season 2018: won championship
Paris Gay Games: Competitive & Recreational Division teams both finished 5th
First women's teams entered Sydney Metropolitan competition
One of two inaugural women's teams won gold medal in first competitive season
Expanded to 7 teams in Sydney Metropolitan Competition

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual Trivia Night
WPNSW Pride and Inclusion Match participation
Targeted recruitment campaign to broaden LGBTQIA+ representation across spectrum

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers group photo at Ryde pool during team training day

Sydney Stingers team smiling poolside at Ryde Aquatic Centre

Full Sydney Stingers squad lined up at Ryde pool for annual club photo

2016-17

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2016/17: Stingers won first place in M6 division
Stingers debuted M5 team in Winter competition
Pride Challenge Brisbane: Stingers won tournament
January Grudge Match Melbourne
Autumn Bootcamp

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual 'Are you smarter than a Stinger?' Trivia Night

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers group photo at indoor pool before a training session

Sydney Stingers players posing in the water for a photoshoot

Sydney Stingers members modelling club merchandise for a photoshoot

2015-16

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2015/16: Club's first gold medal in Sydney Metro Competition
IGLA Edmonton: Competitive Division placed 6th
January Pride Cup Melbourne Grudge Match: Stingers won tournament
October Grudge Match Sydney: Stingers placed second
Autumn & Spring Bootcamp

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual 'Are you smarter than a Stinger?' Trivia Night
Supported establishment of Brisbane Tritons and Perth White Pointers water polo club

Recognition

President's Award: Daniel Kirkwood

Sydney Stingers team photo at Ryde pool after tournament

Sydney Stingers team celebrating medal win at Water Polo NSW event

Stingers A Summer 2014/15 - Semi-finalists

Sydney Stingers men’s team after match at Ryde pool

Stingers A Summer 2014/15 - Semi-finalists

Sydney Stingers team smiling after a home competition at Ryde Aquatic Centre

Stingers A Winter Season - Quarter Finalists

Sydney Stingers members with inflatable mascot at Mardi Gras Fair Day

Fair Day

Sydney Stingers player with drag queen at club fundraiser event

Trivia Night

Sydney Stingers men’s team at outdoor match holding Australian flag

Eurogames Stockholm

Sydney Stingers group photo after tournament match

Spring Boot Camp Participants

Sydney Stingers players chatting between training sets

Stingers B - Chillin' in the corner

2014-15

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2014/15: Stingers A placed second
Metro Winter Season 2015: Stingers A placed 3rd
Eurogames Stockholm: Competitive Division participation
January & June Grudge Match
Autumn & Spring Bootcamp

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Fair Day & Parade participation
Annual 'Are you smarter than a Stinger?' Trivia Night

Recognition

President's Award: Ivan Buckingham

Sydney Stingers team photo 2014 at Ryde pool

2014 Club Photo

Sydney Stingers players posing on coastal rocks with water polo balls

Photoshoot (Photo Brenton Parry)

2013-14

Competition & Participation

Metro Summer Season 2013/14 participation

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation
Annual 'Are you smarter than a Stinger?' Trivia Night

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers team photo in red polos and swimmers at Out Games

Outgames Antwerp (Photo Jesse Snow)

Sydney Stingers players dining together while overseas for competition

World Outgames - Team Dinner

Sydney Stingers member posing with drag queen and teammate during tournament social night

Hello Sailer @ The Columbian Hotel - Photo Ann-Marie Calihanna

Sydney Stingers team huddling before game in pink caps during Outgames

Outgames Antwerp

Sydney Stingers group in red polos posing at pool venue

2012-13

Competition & Participation

Outgames Antwerp: 2nd place finish to Melbourne Surge
January Grudge Match - Melbourne interstate competition

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation: Won award for Best Choreography
Annual 'Are You Smarter than a Stinger' Trivia Night

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers team photo 2012 swimmers holding water polo balls at Ryde pool

2012 Club Photo

2011-12

Competition & Participation

Grudge Match Melbourne interstate competition with Melbourne Surge
Grudge Match Sydney: Stingers won 14-3

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation: Won award for Best Choreography
Annual 'Are you smarter than a stinger' Trivia Night

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers marching with banner and inflatable mascot during Mardi Gras parade

Sydney Stingers players cheering on teammates during a match

Sydney Stingers posing with drag queen during celebration

Sydney Stingers inflatable mascot at a Mardi Gras pool party surrounded by floating balls

Sydney Stingers members holding HIV awareness sign and Red Ribbon art for World AIDS Day

2010-11

Competition & Participation

Stingers Red team debuted in NSW Metropolitan League 2010/11 Summer Season (second team expansion)

Community & Visibility

Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation
Stingers Pool Party at Ivy Pool Deck
Annual 'Are you smarter than a stinger' Trivia Night

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers members posing outside in red caps at Gay games Cologne

Gay Games Cologne team

Sydney Stingers teammates smiling together during gay games in red team shirts

Gay Games - Cologne

Sydney Stingers group celebrating on the field after Gay Games event

Gay Games - Cologne

Sydney Stingers members holding club banner at Gay Games in red polos

Gay Games - Cologne

2009-10

Competition & Participation

Gay Games VIII Cologne: Placed 7th
Metro Summer Season 2009/10: Stingers Black placed 5th

Community & Visibility

Inaugural 'Are you smarter than a stinger' Trivia Night - became signature club fundraiser
Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

2008-09

Competition & Participation

Bootcamp Recruitment Program commenced (2009) - established structured beginner recruitment and training pathway

Community & Visibility

First Mardi Gras Fair Day participation at Victoria Park (February 2009)
Annual Mardi Gras Parade participation (March 2009)

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

2007-08

Competition & Participation

Limited detailed records available for this period

Community & Visibility

First annual Mardi Gras Parade participation

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

2006-07

Competition & Participation

Montreal Outgames: Sydney Stingers team participation
Wyong Cup local tournament participation
Grudge Match Melbourne v Sydney interstate competition

Community & Visibility

Limited detailed records available for this period

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

2005-06

Competition & Participation

Gay Games VII Chicago: Placed 5th (2006)

Community & Visibility

Limited detailed records available for this period

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers early team group photo during Grudge Match weekend

Grudge Match weekend (Stingers Team)

Sydney Stingers teammates lined up poolside before training

Training

Sydney Stingers players posing inside aquatic centre between games

Stingers teammates smiling for a poolside photo during training

Sydney Stingers preparing Mardi Gras float on the parade route

Sydney Stingers group in swimmers smiling during Mardi Gras parade

Sydney Stingers posing at night in parade aftermath with supporters

2004-05

Competition & Participation

IGLA Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Sydney Stingers team participation

Community & Visibility

Limited detailed records available for this period

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers members smiling together during New years eve party

Sydney Stingers teammates seated around a table at a club dinner

2003-04

Competition & Participation

IGLA San Francisco: First international trip for club following Gay Games

Community & Visibility

Limited detailed records available for this period

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

Sydney Stingers teammates posing after training at Ryde pool

2003 Club Photo

Sydney Stingers players gathered poolside between training sets

Sydney Stingers members posing with Goofy at a theme park during IGLA

Stingers at IGLA - San Francisco

Sydney Stingers team photo at Ryde Aquatic Centre following a match

Grudge Match vs. Melbourne

Sydney Stingers celebrating in costume for Mardi Gras Parade

Sydney Stingers marching in Mardi Gras parade in costume swimwear

2002-03

Competition & Participation

Sydney Metro League entry: First entry with one men's team in Winter competition
First "Grudge Match" held in Melbourne against the Crabs water polo club - establishment of interstate competition tradition

Community & Visibility

First Coach hired: Chris Hook employed as club's first professional coach
Training relocated to Ryde Aquatic Centre

Recognition

No annual club awards recorded for this membership year

2001-02

Competition and participation

Sydney Stingers Water Polo Club founded (October 2001)
Formed to represent Sydney at 2002 Gay Games
Training commenced at Leichhardt Pool
Initial team development without professional coaching

Community and visibility

Created first organized LGBTQIA+ water polo opportunity in Sydney
Established foundation for ongoing community sporting presence
Built initial member base of committed players

Recognition

First Club President: David Fletcher (2001-2002)
Founding members: Andrew Lees, David Armour, David Fletcher, Darren Wegg, Mal McNeilly, Mark Eagleson, Pascal Van De Walle, Paul O'Sullivan, Rod Messent, Sandor King, Shane Ewen, and Tim Green.