Water Polo

WPA Social Impact Framework: Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, opens in a new tab, Water Polo Australia, (April 2023). The Water Polo Australia Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategy 2023-2025 recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as one of the targeted groups for increased participation. The Strategy highlights that In 2021/22, 1.74% of all members identified as First Nations peoples, and there have been 3 known First Nations Olympians (Nathan Thomas, Dean Semmens, and Joel Swift).

• Case study: DeadlyPolo Pilot session, opens in a new tab, (2024). Utilising the opportunity presented by the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYC) in Brisbane, January 2024, where 200+ junior clubs, coaches, referees from around Australia as well as Alumni and the current Ord Minnett Aussie National Squads come together for a 2-week festive of water polo, it was the prefect opportunity to pilot and refine the DeadlyPolo concept. An invitation was sent to local Indigenous community groups, recreational centres and AYC participants to attend the free session. The session was targeted at new participants to the sport, but current water polo players were also welcome and encouraged to bring along friends and family. No water polo background was needed, and the session trialled a new format for the sport in hopes to have some fun in an informal way and make it more welcoming for people to join in the future. Facilitated by Nathan Thomas, Indigenous Olympian and Former Aussie Shark, current Australian Water Polo League coach and Co-Chair of the WPA Reconciliation Acton Plan Working Group the session had 12 participants of mixed genders, aged between 9 and 17 years registered, and feedback was positive.