Sydney Stingers Water Polo winners at Pride in Sport Awards

Water Polo Australia along with Water Polo New South Wales congratulate Sydney Stingers Water Polo on winning the LGBTI Inclusion initiative Award at this year’s Pride in Sport Awards.

The Award recognises innovative products, services or initiatives that promote the inclusion of LGBTI people within National and state sporting organisations, clubs or the sport more generally.

Club president Stephen Timbrell said the Sydney Stingers have a long and proud history of promoting diversity and inclusion in sport.

“This award recognises in particular our club’s recent initiative to attract, recruit and support LGBTIQ and allied women into the sport of water polo – an initiative which began in early 2018 and continues to this day. We are very proud to now have three teams competing in the ladies’ divisions of the Water Polo NSW Sydney Metropolitan League,” Timbrell said.

“The Sydney Stingers is proud to be a club that is welcoming and supportive to people from all walks of life, and we will continue to work towards breaking down barriers to participation in sport for all,” he said.

The Pride in Sport Awards celebrate LGBTI inclusion achievements within Australian sports for all National and State level, sporting codes including grassroots clubs. 

Former Australian Water Polo representative and CEO of Out for Australia, Emily Scott, congratulated the Sydney Stingers on their success.

“I’ve seen first-hand how the Stingers foster an environment of support and inclusion for LGBTIQ women, enabling them to succeed in sport no matter whether they join the club as experienced water polo players or as complete beginners,” Scott said.

“The Sydney Stingers’ achievements in 2018 demonstrated a genuine dedication to diversity. Members of the club have created a welcoming and supportive space for LGBTIQ & allied women in their club and have continued to push for equal participation of women in sport,” she said.

Pride in Sport Out Role Model Jeremy Archer, said Water Polo in Australia had come a long way due to the great work undertaken by Sydney Stingers.

“The Sydney Stingers Water Polo Club continue to be the pioneers of water polo inclusion in Australia,” Archer said.

“Through their outreach, the Sydney Stingers have created opportunities for hundreds of new players to be welcomed into the sport both locally in Sydney and around Australia,” he said.