Water Polo Australia provides new funding opportunity for State Associations

Community water polo is set to receive a boost thanks to the new Kickstart grants introduced by Water Polo Australia (WPA) to provide funding grants to State Associations to support their local areas.

As part of WPA’s commitment to supporting the development and delivery of water polo, each State Association will receive a $15,000 grant each, to assist in launching a new program or initiative within their community, to assist in getting people back to playing water polo or getting involved for the first time..

WPA CEO Richard McInnes said that the Kickstart grant will provide support to water polo programs across the country, in line with the soon to be released National Strategic Framework (NSF).

“In the National Strategic Framework participants and clubs are at the heart of our plan and with that in mind, we are excited to provide this support and opportunity to our State Associations

“State Associations will receive the $15,000 grants, which will be matched dollar for dollar by the States.

“This grant is designed to engage new or re-engage existing participants, to deliver a new project or initiative that best meets the needs within their community.

Water Polo ACT, Water Polo WA and Water Polo SA have already taken up the opportunity to utilise these newly available funds, with the other States to announce their programs in the near future.

South Australia will use the grants to implement a Social Fives Carnival, FlippaBall as well as professional development for coaches and officials.  Western Australia’s grant has assisted WPWA to employ a new staff member who will deliver a series of initiatives including (but not limited to) FlippaBall, events for players from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, regional events, increase accredited referees and engage School Sports Programs.

For Water Polo ACT, the grant will assist them to employ their first ever Executive Officer position on a permanent part time role. The position will be co-funded by WPACT and the ACT Government and will combine the existing Sport Development Manager role with higher EO duties to benefit to the current and future members of WPACT.

Water Polo ACT President, Matt Turnbull said: “The WPA Kickstart grant has allowed WPACT to employ its first ever paid Executive Officer position, which is an excellent result for the sport in our region.

Water Polo ACT President, Matt Turnbull said: “The WPA Kickstart grant has allowed WPACT to employ its first ever paid Executive Officer position, which is an excellent result for the sport in our region.

“The position will help drive participation growth and accelerate the implementation of our operational plan.

“This will allow us to be more competitive in the already heavily crowded sporting marketplace.  We are grateful for WPA's assistance,” he said.

The WPACT Executive Officer role is taking applications – for more details, click here.