Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Question's

1. I'm interested in playing Water Polo for SNB Water Polo Club (or my child is). Do I/they need to be an experienced player or have any playing history? Who do I contact to find out more information and what I need to do to get started?

Firstly you do NOT need any prior history of playing the game. The best way to start is to get in contact with the relevant Director of Water Polo to ask what you need to do first.

· For Girls or Women, this would be Rochelle Hatch on email womensdirector@snbwaterpolo.com.au

· For Boys or Men, please contact Claire Hatherell on email mensdirector@snbwaterpolo.com.au

2. What is the difference between Sydney Northern Beaches Water Polo Club (SNB Breakers) and Northern Beaches Water Polo Academy (NBWPA)?

Please know they are separate entities and run independently of each other, however work in partnership and share Coaching and Refereeing resources so the program is streamlined from Beginner through to Representative.

· SNB Breakers is Representative for age groups 12U, 14U, 16U & U18. You will have an opportunity to attend trials and be selected for a SNB Breakers team for the Winter or Summer Sydney Metropolitan Competition.

· The Northern Beaches Water Polo Academy - The Water Polo School runs the local junior development competitions and programs (7-14 years). NPWPA offer a variety of programs and competitions each school term, and these events are posted on their website every term. Please contact Paula Woolley for more information on E: nbwaterpoloa@gmail.com W: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nbwpa/home/

3. What ages can play Water Polo?

We have a variety of programs for ages 7 years to Seniors to participate in.

· The Northern Beaches Water Polo Academy - "The Water Polo School" has been set up to manage, promote, encourage and develop Water Polo on the Northern Beaches and beyond, specialising in Junior Development Programs and Competitions for boys and girls U7's to U14's.

· SNB has Junior teams for Girls and Boys in the U12, U14, U16 and U18 age groups, and Senior Women’s and Men’s teams ranging from 1st to 7th grade.

· SNB’s Junior programs are designed to help young players learn the fundamentals of the game and develop a love for the sport, while our Senior programs offer competitive opportunities for players of all levels.

4. How long is the Season? And where are the games played?

· SNB participates in the Sydney Metropolitan Competition run by Water Polo NSW.

· There is a summer season that usually runs from September to March (with a break over Christmas), and Winter season that runs from around May to August. There are finals held at the conclusion of each season.

· Metro games are played in pools around Sydney (including Drummoyne, Balmain, Ryde, Auburn, Ashfield, Knox Pool, Sutherland, Sydney Uni, UNSW and Pymble).

· Many of our Junior teams also take part in State and National competitions that are held in different locations each year.

5. When do the teams play?

· Junior boys' and girls' teams play on Sunday afternoon or evenings.

· There are some local comps run by NBWPA on Friday Nights during Summer.

· Seniors play Weeknights during Winter and Saturday Afternoons in Summer.

· There is also Local “Social” Competition for Men and Women that is played weeknights.

6. How often do the teams train?

· Our Junior teams (U12, U14, U16 and U18s) train between one and two times a week, sometimes more frequently as important competitions approach.

· Senior Teams – once a week for higher Divisions and Social comp tends not to train.

7. How are the fees decided?

The Club Management Committee have done a thorough review of the Clubs finances to arrive at the season's fee structure.

When calculating the fees consideration has been given for the following:

· Capitation Fees – These fees are set by WPA and WPNSW and provide insurance cover and support by the Governing bodies

· GST – All fees are inclusive of this

· Coaching – Our Club has a commitment to ensure quality coaching to develop and grow our members. To attract and retain our quality coaches they are paid for the service they provide to our members.

· Pool Hire – This is the most significant cost to the Club for training sessions and scheduling the Metro games. We utilise Manly Swim Centre, Warringah Aquatic Centre and Pymble Ladies College for the training sessions and games.

· Metro Competition Costs – Team Entries, Referees and Pool Controller fees (except Div 2).

· Equipment – Caps and Balls are supplied to teams for the Metro competition. New items are being purchased for training sessions.

*Please see Registration Page for up to date Fees.

8. Apart from playing, how else can I get involved?

SNB is run primarily on volunteer power so we are always delighted to hear from anyone who can lend a hand. As you can imagine, for a club the size of ours, the jobs are varied and plentiful!

From pool set up, table duties such as scoring or clock duty, helping on door entry, manning the BBQ, helping with fundraising and events, there's lots to be done. All community sport runs on volunteers. This keeps costs down. But none of the roles are mandatory. Each team will have a roster of volunteer jobs, and each person averages once per month.

No-one is ever asked to take a responsibility they do not feel equipped to do. The club has a large enough community of volunteers and provide game day training for family or friends who step in as volunteers.

If you have capacity to volunteer in other ways you are made very welcome. Just contact our Club Secretary on secretary@snbwaterpolo.com.au or approach a committee member.

9. What opportunities are there to play at Representative level?

Sydney Northern Beaches Water Polo Club have a large number of our Athletes who have progressed over the years to play at high Representative levels such as Academy Program, School, State, National levels, Aussie Stingers and Olympians.

This year we have a large number of Breakers Athletes that have been selected into the National Age Group Program (NAGP) and 13 AMAZING Athletes that have been chosen in the 18&U, 17&U and 16&U Australian Teams that will be touring Europe, US and NZ in 2023.

The National Age Group Program forms an important part of the Water Polo Australia high performance framework, designed to prepare Athletes, Coaches and Referees for Australian Representative opportunities. The program is designed to educate aspiring athletes about all aspects of Water polo, both in and out of the pool.

Water Polo Australia’s high-performance programs play a crucial role in ensuring future success of our National Teams. The National Age Group Program also provides the ideal environment to prepare aspiring athletes looking to extend their representative honours with the Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks (senior team) and who have aspirations for the Olympics.

Some Questions relating to Trials/Selections:

Q1: What time should I have my child at the trials?

Answer: Arrive 15 minutes before trials start to have your name marked off and to be ready to start on time.

Q2: What does my child need to wear or bring to the trials?

Answer: Wear what they would normally wear to Water Polo (no need for club cossies) or usual swim training otherwise. Bring a Water Bottle and Towel (and a Ball if you have one).

Q3: Can Parents/Carers Stay to watch the Trials?

Answer: We please ask Parents/Carers to drop off and not stay for the trials to ensure all Athletes and Selectors/Coaches are able to focus and train without any interruptions.

Q4: When will we find out Coaches and Team allocation?

Answer: Coaches and Teams are usually announced 2-3 weeks after trials have finished.

Q5: Do we have to pay at the front desk to enter the pool for Trials?

Answer: Yes, payment at the Entry of Manly Swim Centre and Warringah Aquatic Centre will be needed for trials.