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Youth water polo making a splash in WA in 2025

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  • Australian Youth Water Polo Championships return to WA from 14-24 April 2025
  • Event attracted over 6,000 out-of-state visitors in 2023, generating $23 million for the WA economy
  • Supported by the Western Australian Government

The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYWPC), Water Polo Australia's largest annual event, will return to Western Australia next year from 14-24 April.

WA hosted the first of two AYWPC events as part of a multi-year contract in January 2023, attracting over 6,000 out-of-state spectators, athletes, coaches and officials to WA, generating over $23 million in visitor spend.

Following the event's success last year, the 2025 Championships are expected to make a splash and once again attract thousands of out-of-state visitors to Perth for the annual two-week festival of water polo.

The AYWPC consists of four divisions: 12 & Under, 14 &Under, 16 & Under and 18 & Under, with approximately 750 games of water polo played over the two-week period.

In 2023, more than 130 teams competed against each other across four venues, activating HBF Stadium, Beatty Park, the University of Western Australia, and Bicton Pool, with the same venues and number of teams planned for the 2025 event.

The AYWPC also includes the International Test Series, which is a series of six friendly games (three women's games and three men's) between Australia's national water polo teams and invited international teams.

The 2025 AYWPC will be held across the following dates:

  • Week 1: 14-18 April 2025
  • Week 2: 20-24 April 2025

For more information visit https://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/wpal-events/aywpc

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Mass participation events form an important part of our overarching tourism strategy, giving people a time-specific reason to visit WA and experience all we have to offer.

"The results from the 2023 event were really impressive, with a $23 million boost for our economy plus 6,000 people visitors from outside WA, which supports local businesses and jobs.

"We're excited to again be supporting the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Perth for 2025, and encourage athletes and spectators to use this as an opportunity to stay longer and spend some time exploring Perth or venturing out into WA's regions."