Our story
The Sydney Stingers were formed to create space. In 2001, a group of water polo players came together to represent Sydney at the 2002 Gay Games, at a time when many LGBTQIA+ people did not feel safe or welcome in organised sport.
What began as a single purpose quickly became something more lasting.
From representation to community
After the Gay Games, the Stingers continued training and playing together. What they found was that the need for inclusive, community-led sport didn't disappear once the event ended.
Over time, the club grew into a year-round water polo community, welcoming people with different levels of experience, confidence, and connection to the sport. Some came to compete. Others came to belong. Many found both.
Growing with intention
As the club evolved, so did its structure. Teams entered local competitions, social pathways developed, and new ways to participate emerged. The Stingers focused on creating entry points that allowed people to try water polo without pressure, while still supporting competitive play for those who wanted it.
Importantly, the club remained volunteer-run and community-led, shaped by the people who showed up each season.
A place to belong
For many members, the Stingers have been more than a sports club. They've been a place to build confidence, make friends, find leadership opportunities, and stay connected to community through sport.
That sense of belonging has remained central, even as the club has grown and changed.
25 years on
Today, the Sydney Stingers continue to balance inclusion, competition, and care. The club supports beginners and experienced players, social and competitive pathways, and opportunities to engage on and off the pool deck.
After 25 years, the Stingers are still here because the need they were created to meet still exists. The club continues to adapt, guided by its values and the people who make it possible.
Looking ahead
The next chapter of the Stingers will be shaped, as it always has been, by the community itself. New members, new leaders, and new ideas will continue to build on what came before.
The goal remains the same: to create a place where people can show up, get involved, and belong through sport.