Sydney Stingers shoot goals with WPNSW Development Grant

Published Mon 22 Feb 2021

With the help of a Water Polo NSW Development Grant, the Sydney Stingers were able to implement their retention strategy for members through holding a series of intensive training sessions to educate and develop members within all aspects of the game. This included dryland and in-water skills and well as several strength and conditioning workshops.

Sydney Stingers are an integral part of the water polo community. The club helps to bring a diverse group of people to the sport. This is inclusive of recruiting members who wouldn’t have previously considered water polo as a sport and re-recruiting ex-members to continually participate in the sport.

Sessions included components of functional fitness, strength, agility and mindset with Marin Lazic. Core workouts with Keely Lanham and Mel Rippon providing insight into counter attacks, game situations, dry land warm ups, leg drills whilst offering the opportunity for Q&As.

Stingers member James Wade reflected on the valuable knowledge gained from the expert coaches and trainers at these development sessions. 'The tailored training sessions helped develop our water polo skills not only in the water, but the dryland training was useful in providing ways we can develop while not in the pool and to help prevent injuries,' James.

Long-time member Pete Michael reflects on the benefits provided to members 'Thanks to Water Polo NSW for providing an opportunity for us to participate in intensive water polo training sessions, both in and out of the pool, and to be coached by experienced trainers, coaches and an Olympian!

It was both challenging and inspiring. So often we spend time in the pool running drills, but being challenged with dryland drills and psychological preparation for tournaments provided an amazing insight beyond our regular sessions.

‘I think everyone took away a new approach to both the physical and more importantly mental preparation to not only our weekly games but also our national and international games,' Pete.

Inspiring the Stingers was triple Olympian, dual Olympic bronze medallist and NSW Institute of Sport Assistant Coach Melissa Rippon. 'What a privilege to be invited to share my knowledge of the game I love with such an awesome group of people. It's so important as a coach to design sessions that inspire, educate, challenge and are enjoyable. The Stingers were so keen to learn and be pushed out of their comfort zones, it made for an awesome day of polo! I can't wait to see the improvement at the next session,' Mel.