UNSW Wests Junior Men’s Water Polo, in partnership with the UNSW Wests Senior Men’s Water Polo Program, are now seeking Expressions of Interest from players across metro and regional areas for the 2026/27 summer season.
We are inviting athletes to trial for: U14A, U16A, U18A
If you’re an aspiring athlete looking to take your game to the next level and thrive in an elite, high-performance training environment, this is your opportunity.
Train alongside and learn from some of the country’s best players, representing a club with an incredible legacy:
🏆 9x Australian Water Polo League Champions
🏆 2026 AWL Championship Winners
🏆 2026 Sydney Super League Champions
🦈 9 current Aussie Sharks from the UNSW Men’s program, including one of Australia’s premier junior players
As a member of the program, athletes will be expose to:
🔹 Professional, elite-level training sessions
🔹 Access to current Sharks players as coaches and mentors
🔹 Early preseason commencement ahead of 2026 trials
🌍 Potential overseas tournament opportunity for early season preparation
If you’re ready to push yourself and elevate your performance, we want to hear from you. Please submit the below form to enter your son's interest:
>> EOI - UNSW WESTS MAGPIES - SUMMER 2026/27 <<
We look forward to seeing you at preseason training.
1. My child is new to water polo – can they still join?
Yes. We welcome new players, especially those with a swimming or other sports background.
While teams are already selected, we occasionally have spots open up. New players can also sometimes train with a team before being placed if a position becomes available.
2. What is the age eligibility for each team?
Age groups are determined by year of birth, not school year.
- U12 – born 2015, 2016, 2017
- U14 – born 2013, 2014
- U16 – born 2011, 2012
- U18 – born 2009, 2010
3. What does my child need to bring to training and games?
- Appropriate swimmers
- Goggles
- Water polo ball
- Drink bottle
- Towel and warm clothing for after training/games
- Club swimmers and polo shirt for games (once purchased)
4. Do players need to attend all trainings and games?
Yes – regular attendance is expected. Being at both training and games helps team cohesion, player development, and fairness in team selection and game time.
If your child is sick, injured, or unavailable, please let the coach/manager know as early as possible.
5. What happens if we are away on holidays or miss a few weeks?
We understand that families may travel or have other commitments. Please notify your team manager and coach as soon as you know the dates you’ll be away. This helps with planning for games, substitutes, and training loads.
Players who are away for extended periods may have reduced game time while they rebuild fitness and game sharpness on their return.
6. What should we do if my child is injured or unwell?
Player welfare comes first.
- Please let the coach and manager know about any injury or medical condition.
- If your child is injured, they should only return to play/training once they are cleared by a healthcare professional if needed.
- Players can still be involved by attending games to support the team, helping with stats, bench duties, warm-ups, or other out-of-water roles.
7. How are team selections made?
Team selections are based on:
- Technical skills and game understanding
- Fitness and work rate
- Attitude, effort, and coachability
- Positional needs (e.g. goalkeepers, centres, drivers)
- Team balance and development pathways
Coaches assessed players across trials and early sessions, aiming to place each player in the environment that best suits their development.
8. The teams have been announced – what if we didn’t receive any information?
If you registered or expressed interest but have not received a team placement email or communication:
Please email our Club Admin at unswwests@gmail.com so we can check your details and make sure you are linked with the correct team.
9. When is the season?
The 2026/27 season dates confirmed by WPNSW are:
- Round 1: TBC
- Last round before the break: TBC
- Competition resumes: TBC
- Finals: TBC
10. What are the weekly commitments?
Each team has:
- 1–2 training sessions during the week, and
- Games on Sundays
Attendance at both training and games is expected.
Training days, times, and locations are communicated directly by coaches and managers.
11. Where are trainings held?
UNSW Wests teams mainly train at:
- UNSW Aquatic Centre (Kensington)
- Ashfield Aquatic Centre
Some teams may also occasionally train at alternative pools depending on lane availability and scheduling.
12. Where are games played?
Each team will generally play a mix of home and away games.
- Home pools: UNSW Aquatic Centre and Ashfield Aquatic Centre
- Away venues may include pools such as Ryde, Pymble, Auburn, Dawn Fraser, Sydney Uni, Sutherland and others, as scheduled by WPNSW.
13. How much does the season cost?
Player fees for the 2025/26 season cover:
- Training and pool hire
- Competition entry fees
- Coaching costs
- Club administration
For the most up-to-date fee information, please refer to the Fees.
14. Do we need to buy a uniform?
Yes. All players are required to:
- Wear official UNSW Wests club swimmers for all games
- Have a club polo shirt for game days and tournaments
Uniforms are ordered through our supplier (Delfina), with details provided after team selection. Other optional items (shorts, hoodies, caps) may also be available.
15. Can my child “play up” in an older age group?
In some cases, players may be asked to play up to support team numbers or their development.
This is at the discretion of the coaching team and club, taking into account:
- Player safety and physical readiness
- Game experience and confidence
- Team balance and competition rules
Parents will always be consulted before any ongoing play-up arrangement.
16. How is communication managed?
Most communication will be via:
- Email from the club and team managers
- A designated team platform (e.g. Team App / WhatsApp / similar) for weekly updates, draws, and last-minute changes
Please ensure your contact details are up to date and check messages regularly, especially on game days.
17. What is expected of players and parents?
We value a positive, supportive club culture. We expect:
- Players to show respect, effort, and good sportsmanship
- Parents to support coaches and referees and model positive sideline behaviour
- No abuse of officials, opponents, or other spectators
- Adherence to WPNSW and UNSW Wests Codes of Conduct
Any concerns should be raised calmly with the team manager or Junior Director at an appropriate time (not immediately after a game).
18. What are the representative and development pathways?
UNSW Wests provides strong pathways into:
- Club Junior Development Programs (JDP)
- WPNSW development opportunities and state squads
- Higher-level competitions and, ultimately, senior and national league programs
Coaches will identify and support players showing readiness and interest in these pathways.
19. Who can I contact if I have more questions?
For any questions about the Junior Boys Program, email Shannan Johansen (sj070@bigpond.com).
For any admin questions, email our club admin (unswwests@gmail.com)
