Water Polo
An aquatic sport played between two teams where players swim and tread water while trying to score points by throwing a ball into the opponent's net.
A demonstration water polo match was first played in Australia in 1879, in Melbourne Victoria. 1
An Australian men's team first competed in the 1948 London Olympic Games, and the women's team were the inaugural Olympic gold medallists at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games when women were first included. 3
Discover more about water polo through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make water polo more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about water polo.
Evolution:
- Australian Amateur Water Polo Association [1982-1990]
- Australian Water Polo [1990-2011]
- Water Polo Australia [2011-]
Participation
An estimated 17,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in water polo at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 6,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in water polo at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 10,000 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 7,500 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in water polo at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for water polo through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Water Polo Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of water polo in Australia. 4
At the international level water polo as a sport is controlled by World Aquatics, and in the early years of the sport in Australia water polo was managed by the Australian Amateur Swimming Association. In 1982, a new body, the Australian Amateur Water Polo Association, took control of the sport. In 1990 the name changed to Australian Water Polo, and then became Water Polo Australia in 2011. 4, 5
REFERENCES
- Swimming, opens in a new tab, The Age, (8 March 1879).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 21 January 2026).
- Water Polo, opens in a new tab, Australian Olympic Committee, (accessed 21 January 2026).
- History, opens in a new tab, Water Polo Australia, (accessed 21 January 2026).
- About, opens in a new tab, Water Polo South Australia, (accessed 21 January 2026).
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2024-2025[PDF • 4.28 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2023-2024[PDF • 8.02 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2022-2023[PDF • 8.3 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2021-2022[PDF • 20.39 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2020-2021[PDF • 7.68 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2019-2020[PDF • 3.92 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2018-2019[PDF • 3.08 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2017-2018[PDF • 3.35 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2016-2017[PDF • 7.58 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2015-2016[PDF • 2.32 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2014-2015[PDF • 5.26 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2013-2014[PDF • 8.45 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2012-2013[PDF • 3.08 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Annual Report 2011-2012[PDF • 3.73 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2010-2011[PDF • 2.64 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2009-2010[PDF • 1.56 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2008-2009[PDF • 2.19 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2007-2008[PDF • 1.81 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2006-2007[PDF • 1.65 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2005-2006[PDF • 1.28 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2004-2005[PDF • 4.25 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2003[PDF • 2.75 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2002[PDF • 10.61 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2001[PDF • 9.66 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 2000[PDF • 12.79 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1998[PDF • 6.65 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1997[PDF • 5.85 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1996[PDF • 8.71 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1995[PDF • 5.99 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1993[PDF • 3.11 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1992[PDF • 2.74 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1991[PDF • 13.25 mb]
- Australian Water Polo Annual Report 1990[PDF • 3.27 mb]
- Water Polo Australia High Performance Strategy 2024-2032[PDF • 8.97 mb]
- Water Polo Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Strategy 2023-2025[PDF • 2.52 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Climate Action Strategy 2023-2024[PDF • 1.63 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Operational plan 2021-2022[PDF • 8.7 mb]
- National strategic framework: Water Polo in Australia 2020-2030[PDF • 4.07 mb]
- National performance framework: Water Polo Australia 2020[PDF • 1.77 mb]
- Towards 2020 Strategic Plan: Growing and strengthening water polo in Australia[PDF • 2.99 mb]
- Water Polo Australia Strategic Plan 2014-2018[PDF • 190.09 kb]
- Water Polo Australia Strategic Plan 2009-2013[PDF • 314.73 kb]
- Australian Water Polo Operational Plan 2007-2008[PDF • 450.62 kb]
- Australian Water Polo Operational Plan 2006-2007[PDF • 759.7 kb]
- Australian Water Polo Strategic Plan 2005-2009[PDF • 1004.17 kb]
