This month's newsletter features exciting news coming out of Paris, and lots more including:
 

• Paris Olympics: Stingers reach the semi-finals and the Sharks are in the quarters tonight
• Board update: Key updates regarding the strategy re-set
• 2024/25 Capitation fees announced
• Integrity and Pathways: New updates including the Safe Sport Workshop and the Integrity Education Webinar Series from Sport Integrity Australia
• Details of the Water Polo Australia Coach & Officials Summit 2024 

Let's dive in...

Over the past two months, the Board has been actively engaged in the 11 meetings with Clubs and Associations that were held to discuss the strategy re-set. We greatly appreciate your valuable input in shaping the re-set of our strategy, which has now been set to June 2025.

The Operations team is diligently working towards implementing key projects within this strategy re-set. This includes the development of integrity tool kits, a comprehensive coaching curriculum, and a regional area services plan that will benefit all members.

The Board also recently participated in a governance workshop, which has contributed to our continuous improvement in this area. We are pleased to report that our governance feedback score from the Office of Sport has been very positive, reflecting our commitment to excellence.

In addition, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) have been successfully established with ACPE and Ryde, and negotiations are currently underway for a refreshed Ryde Legacy Agreement.

We will soon be providing detailed information regarding affiliation fees and other Summer season related matters. Please mark your calendars for our Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is scheduled for November 9th.

Thank you for your continued support.

We are witnessing some fantastic performances in Paris, with the Aussie Stingers and Sharks both making it through to the quarter finals!

Breaking News: The Stingers have made it to the semi finals after a fantastic 9-6 win against Greece with Bronte Halligan again among the scorers with a brace. 

Check out our round up of all the results from the preliminary rounds via the link below. 

#HaveAGo invites all Aussies to play Olympic sports.

Take part in the Have A Go Olympic Challenge with your friends and family today!

WPNSW has published the 2024-25 Capitation fees. The membership fee you pay is made up of three parts, one part to WPA, one part to WPNSW and one part to your Club.

The consistent amount to each member is the WPNSW and WPA component, based on the category chosen, however the Club component varies across NSW depending on the membership inclusions. The Club component is set by the Clubs.

For the full information please follow the link below.

Water Polo NSW welcomes the recent announcement from Water Polo Australia to undertake an independent High Performance Ecosystem Review and develop the 2025-32+ High Performance Strategy.

Water Polo NSW has participated in an initial panel discussion on the design of the HP Strategy and looks forward to working with WPA on this project further. To read more information follow the link below.

Safe Sport Workshop

Recognising and responding to abuse in sport is paramount, and the NSW Office of Sport is running a workshop that seeks to improve community sport volunteers/workers’ capabilities, opportunities and motivations for recognising and responding to diverse types of abuse in sport.

The workshop blends information and activities to engage the attendees in real world scenarios that promote shared experiences between sports.

Workshop event details:

When: Thursday 5th September Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Where: NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence, 12 Dawn Fraser Ave, Sydney Olympic Park.

Cost: FREE (includes lunch and networking from 12pm-1pm. Places are limited)

Register for the workshop by emailing Sport NSW here: sportsintegrity@sport.nsw.gov.au and find out more here.

Safeguarding Education

A key focus area in the re-set of the WPNSW Strategic Plan is safeguarding education and WPNSW recently met with Sport Integrity Australia to discuss possible safeguarding education solutions and to plan a12-month training and education program for NSW Clubs and Associations. We will notify Clubs and Associations once the plan is completed and we are ready to commence roll-out. This objective is part of the 'Support Pillar' where it was agreed to introduce programs and a resource library for all Clubs/Associations - players, coaches, officials, parents & spectators –focused on integrity, respect and improving the culture within our sport.

Sport Integrity Australia have developed national safeguarding policies, resources and education to help build the capacity of sports organisations and individuals to provide safe sporting environments. We highly encourage and recommend Clubs and Associations tap into this resource by clicking the link below to read more.

Let’s work together to positively impact behaviours.

Water Polo NSW has recently met with clubs to discuss the proposed Events and Competitions calendar for the 2024/25 Season.

This process involved an initial presentation with subsequent review period for our clubs to ensure that all information regarding event & competition dates, team entry timelines and the release of fixtures is agreed to well in advance of the season commencing.

Water Polo NSW looks forward to publishing the finalised Events & Competitions Calendar in the coming weeks.

Registrations are now open for the WPA coach and officials’ summit on the Gold Coast October 1st and 2nd.

This summit promises to be an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional development, particularly for coaches and referees of ALL levels. Spots are limited, so register today in order to:

• Gain exclusive insights into the strategies, preparations and outcomes of the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Stingers coaches at the Paris Olympics from Tim Hamill and Rebecca Rippon.
• Learn from one of the world's top referees, Boris Margeta, as he shares insights and strategies from his distinguished career.
• Participate in sessions by Ashley Ross from Coach Learning Solutions on "Coaching the Coach and Official” and "How to Succeed Together."
• Engage in breakout sessions tailored to coaches, officials, and delegates, offering direct access to experts in your specific areas of interest.
• Join a Panel discussion from the Australian Sports Commission as well as a second athlete panel discussion on the crucial roles coaches and officials play in shaping an athlete's journey. 

Find out more and register below.

Dear Members,

I am sure everyone is on the edge of their seat cheering on the Aussie Stingers and Sharks competing in the water polo competition in Paris. We could not be prouder of the results to date with the Stingers and Sharks having some phenomenal results beating European powerhouses such as Hungary as both go through to the quarter finals.

We wish all the players and coaches all the best for the finals.

Thank you to everyone for working with WPNSW to re-set the Strategic Plan. 

I am pleased to update everyone on some of the agreed objectives as follows:

• The high-performance panel has commenced work on the terms of reference for the coaching curriculum for both pathway and performance, and initial talks have commenced with Water Polo Australia on a framework for a 12-month plan for referee education for the coming season, and beyond.
• To enhance operational management WPNSW has completed the update of the finance and delegations of authority policy, and the referee payments are now consistently being processed each fortnight.
• Work has commenced on a project on 'Retention and Churn' to produce data and feedback to inform strategic decisions that impact the annual member satisfaction. This will occur in two parts firstly with a look back at retention and churn for the past 3 years that will be completed during September, and secondly with a survey post the 2024-25 summer season in May. All learnings and information will be shared with Clubs and Associations.
• Finally, this week all Clubs and Associations were sent the information and an online form to apply for affiliation to WPNSW for the 2024-25 season. Applications are due 25 August, if your Club/Association has not received this information please contact the WPNSW office.

Regards in Water Polo,

Lucy

CEO, Water Polo NSW

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