Whats Happened:

Support the Sydney Stingers – Become a Donor Today!

The Sydney Stingers are one of the most recognisable clubs in both the LGBTQIA+ and water polo communities. We proudly compete all year round, promote LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport, and host community events with our amazing partners. But to continue doing all this — and more — we need help from those who can.

As you may know, we’ve partnered with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) to launch a new donations program. This means any donation you make to the Stingers through ASF is tax deductible* and directly supports our programs, competitions, and community outreach.

To guide this initiative, we’re introducing donation recognition levels — giving our supporters clarity on how their contributions make an impact. This program is designed for those in our community (including friends and family) who are in a position to help and want to champion the Stingers’ mission. However, donations outside of these recognition levels are always welcome and enormously appreciated.

To show our appreciation, we’ll be offering non-material gifts and regular updates from our Treasurer about the positive impact your support has had. The program kicks off in FY25, just in time for donors to claim tax benefits ahead of the 2025 financial year-end!

Let’s secure the future of the Sydney Stingers together - visit us at https://www.revolutionise.com.au/sydneystingers/donate to donate today!

*You should consider obtaining your own tax, legal and accounting advice - the Sydney Stingers Inc do not provide tax or legal advice and this document does not constitute such advice

IGLA Washington DC

Thanks to Levi for flying the Stingers flag at IGLA Washington DC! Levi played in goals for team ‘Calamaussie’ - a mixed recreational team of Aussies + Denver Kracken.

2026 Gay Games Valencia

Come and play water polo with the Stingers at 2026 Gay Games Valencia!

Overseas competitions like Gay Games are an amazing opportunity to get to know your fellow Stingers even better and make some memories together that will last a lifetime.

The Gay Games is a 9-day event celebrating sports and culture, with a focus on LGBTQIA+ identities and our allies.

For complete information about the event and to let us know if you're interested, please see and complete the Expression of Interest by Sunday 6th July. This is so we have enough time to put together an organising group and make any bookings required.

We understand four of the Valencian LGBTQ+ entities that have been collaborating with the organisation of the Gay Games in  València 2026 have withdrawn their participation from the Organizing Committee. Their (machine translated) statement can be read here, original here. The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) response can be read here.

Considering this information, the club will be sending teams to compete at Gay Games Valencia 2026. The Executive understand from the FGG that participants will be able to attend and compete as their authentic selves, and (from individuals in Spain) that participants will be welcomed by the Valencian queer community at Gay Games 2026. We believe it is important for the club to participate in the event in order to contribute to its success and keep our community visible. We wholeheartedly respect the position and withdrawal of the Valencian LGBTQ+ entities, and any Stingers member who does not wish to participate in the event.

Position Openings

Recruitment Manager

Following Sophie’s incredible work in this role, we’re looking for someone to continue supporting new members and leading recruitment efforts.

What it involves:

• Responding to new member enquiries
• Running Boot Camps and Fair Day recruitment
  
• Coordinating volunteers and supporting new players through the joining process
• ~1 hr/week on average (more during Boot Camps or Fair Day)
  

This role would suit someone friendly, organised, and passionate about helping new players feel welcome—especially if you’ve enjoyed Boot Camps or Fair Day before. Talk to Dean or email registrar@sydneystingers.org.au. Read the full role description here.

MPIO – Member Protection & Information Officer

We’re expanding our wellbeing support by adding:
2 x Metro MPIOs and 2 x Intra MPIOs

What it involves:

• Providing confidential, impartial support for members
• Supporting fair complaint resolution and informal mediation
• Helping maintain strong member protection processes
• ~2 hrs/week (ad hoc and flexible)

This role is great for someone who’s calm, a good listener, and cares about creating safe, respectful spaces. You don’t need to solve problems—just help guide the process and connect people to the right support.Talk to Beck or Tom if you're interested. Read the full role description here.

Website Updates:

With many thanks to Ben Williamson, a breath of fresh air has swept through the club’s website (www.sydneystingers.org.au), with text and images updated to better represent our club today. Take a look and share with your network, especially those who might be interested in picking up a ball!

Whats On:

Sweat with pride

This June Rainbow Giving Australia is launching Sweat with Pride – a campaign where getting sweaty means saving lives. Funds raised support ACON, Minus18, and Rainbow Giving Australia’s national community grant program (you can see our recent grantees here).

It’s simple: teams commit to 21 minutes of movement a day for 30 days during June (Pride Month), raise money for vital LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing services, and have a whole lot of sweaty fun along the way. Any form of 'sweat' counts! It could be swimming, waterpolo, walking, dancing, walking, whatever! Join our Stingers Team and get sweating. 

Rainbow Grudge Match - Perth Edition

Washington DC doesn't have Quokkas. The next Rainbow Grudge Match will be hosted by Perth White Pointers on Saturday 22nd November, Sunday 23rd is Fair Day, stay the week and march in the Pride Parade on 29th November. Potentially featuring Margaret River wine tours and day trip to Rotto, fill out this EOI form if you're keen for any part of the trip. 

Something Helpful

Make someone’s day. After the game, thank the ref, table and captain for volunteering their time and energy that you benefit from. 

Stingers On Tour

Keep an eye out for your teammates as Stingers set out for world domination! We'll be battling it out in the pool and attending these events:

• Rainbow Grudge Match - 22nd November, 2025 - Perth
• Valencia Gay Games 2026, 27th June - 5th July 2026

General Information:

• If you have Facebook, please join our Stingers Members Page, where you can keep up to date with announcements.
• See the Member Zone for club information
• Check out the Club Calendar for upcoming events and the training plan, you can also subscribe to the calendar on your phone using the link provided
• Grab exclusive merch available on the Stingers Shop at bargain basement prices!
• Make a tax deductible donation today to benefit the club.  

June Swim Set

Just do it.

Total Time: 50min

Total Distance: 2.2km

Warm Up: 

100 Free, 100 IM, 100 Free

200 IM Drill/Kick

Main Set:

Times for 50m pool (times for 25m pool).

Aim for 80% endurance pace effort with less than 10 sec rest (pushing up against threshold), repeat the 100’s 3 times: 

• 4 x 100m 1:45 (1:35)
  • 1min rest between 4s

6 x 50m - 25 Free Sprint, 25 easy form - 1:30 (1:20) - lots of rest, so make it 100% sprint. 

Cool down: 200m

Notes:

• Adjust the times to suit you, but still aim to push yourself. Suggestions:
  • A bit easier: add 5 to 10s on the suggested times per 50m.
  • A bit harder: minus 5 to 10s on the suggested times per 50m or add 2 more distance intervals (e.g where it says 6x100m do 8 of them.)
• 50m Pool: add 5sec per 50m
• Send your team a selfie with you at the pool after your set! Be the fitspo to my DMs :) 
• Splashproof and reuse the set - write it up with crayon (or pencil) on waxy baking paper, pat dry and keep in your bag for next time.