Play Ready is how you go from curious to competing in one season.
Sydney Stingers is Sydney's only LGBTQIA+ inclusive water polo club. This September, we are running three structured sessions that take confident swimmers through the fundamentals of water polo — finishing with you playing at Rainbow Cup, Australia's annual queer water polo competition, in October.
No prior water polo experience is needed. You do need to be comfortable in the water and able to sustain pool sessions. We will handle the rest.
When: September 2026, dates coming soon
Where: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
For: Confident swimmers — no water polo experience required
Cost: $90 — includes all three sessions and your Rainbow Cup spot on 3 October
What the sessions look like
Three structured sessions building your water polo skills from the ground up. Each session involves sustained pool work, skill development, and game play. By session three you will be playing water polo in an inclusive environment, alongside players at a similar stage and experienced Stingers members.
Who it is for
Play Ready is for anyone who is a confident swimmer and wants to experience competitive water polo in an inclusive, welcoming environment. Whether you have never played before, want to give the sport a proper try, or are returning after a long break — this is your entry point.
If you are unsure whether your swimming is at the right level: you should be comfortable sustaining continuous laps and confident in the water for the duration of a session. If you have questions before registering, get in touch.
Rainbow Cup
Your $90 entry includes a spot at Rainbow Cup on 3 October at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre. You will play as part of a Stingers team alongside experienced members. It is a proper introduction to what competitive queer water polo looks like.
Places are limited
Play Ready has limited places. If the program is full, our next Bootcamp opens in March 2027 — another entry point into the club.
Already a Stingers member? Check out the Metro Development Series — a program designed specifically for existing members working toward Metro play.