The Sydney Stingers launched our first two womens' teams in the Water Polo NSW Sydney Metro Competition in the winter season of 2018. We also have an all-inclusive internal competition INTRA with mixed teams that is welcome to anyone and focuses on beginner and social players.

joining the stingers

We recruit new players twice a year at our water polo boot camps, which are open to both new and experienced players. Keep reading below for details of our next boot camp.

In addition to our boot camps, our teams occasionally have mid-season openings for experienced players. If you have prior experience and would like to discuss options for joining the club, please contact our new recruits team by email at recruitment@sydneystingers.org.au.

whAT MAKES the sydney stingers different?

We're a fun, friendly LGBTIQ-inclusive club that welcomes both new and experienced players. We aim to create a supportive and enjoyable environment while we train, play & challenge ourselves.

do I need to be gay, lesbian or lgbtiq to join?

No, not at all - everyone is welcome. But please be aware that our club is an LGBTIQ-friendly environment.

What grades do you play?

We currently have three teams in the Water Polo NSW Metropolitan Summer Competition in Division 2:

• One team in the W2 grade – for very experienced players with advanced levels of skills and fitness.

• One team in the W5 grade – for experienced players with solid water polo skills and intermediate/advanced levels of fitness.

• One team in the W6 grade – for beginners & those working to build their core water polo skills and improve their fitness.

We also have an internal club competition called INTRA that is focused on social and beginner players. This is a mixed, all-gender and inclusive competition with smaller teams and shorter seasons held weekly on Sunday evenings at the Stingers home pool Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre.

The club aims to provide opportunities for all levels of ability, and our team gradings are re-assessed each season. If you’re interested in playing in a higher grade than currently offered, please contact us and let us know.

We’ll review our team make-up prior to the start of each season, so contact us to let us know you’re keen to play and be part of the club’s community!

Do I need prior experience?

Beginners are welcome at our twice-yearly boot camp – no experience necessary! However, you do need to be a strong swimmer and be able to tread water. As a guide you should be able to swim 1km within 30 minutes.

When and where do you play / train?

Our teams train on Saturday mornings at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and we hold all-in training across the club membership on Sunday afternoons at Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre. Training runs for 90 mins each session.

For our Sydney Metro teams, Division 1 games in the Summer season are held on Saturday afternoons. Division 2 games in the Summer season are held on Wednesday evenings. The season runs from mid-October through to late March. In winter, all games for the Women’s competition are held on Wednesday evenings, and winter runs from late May to early August. Competition venues vary between weeks, but usually include Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, Macquarie University, Auburn Aquatic Centre, MLC School Aquatic Centre, and the University of Sydney.

For our INTRA competition, all games are held on Sunday afternoons at the Stingers’ home pool Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre.

what are the FEES & CHARGES for members?

You'll need to pay normal pool entry fees for games and training sessions. Members receive discounted pool entry for games and training at our home pools, Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre. All other club membership expenses are covered by your membership fee.

I'M KEEN! WHAT DO I DO?

The best way to get into the Sydney Stingers is to attend one of our twice-yearly Water Polo Boot Camps.

Find out when our next boot camp is on our JOIN page. Our boot camp is suitable for beginners who already have strong swimming skills. Experienced players are encouraged to participate as a skills refresher and to get to know our club and other new recruits, but this is not required and we have express club entry pathways. Contact our Recruitment Team below and we will be in touch.

All sessions are held at our home pool, Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre. There is no obligation to join the club at the end of the course, but we will discuss membership during boot camp.

READY TO GIVE IT A GO? CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST!

QUESTIONS? contact our new recruits team

If you have questions or would like to discuss other options for joining, email us at recruitment@sydneystingers.org.au.