Water Polo Australia announces naming rights sponsor for the next five years

Water Polo Australia has announced Ord Minnett - a leading Australian wealth management group - as its new naming rights sponsor of the Australian Men’s and Women’s teams for the next five years with potential for the partnership to extend until post the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Never in the sport’s history have the Aussie Sharks (men) and Aussie Stingers (women) had naming rights sponsors for both sides, with the financial support to make an immediate impact in bolstering the teams’ preparations for the upcoming international season building towards Paris 2024.

Water Polo Australia Chief Executive, Richard McInnes, said the partnership will be vital in helping Australia’s Water Polo team achieve success on the international stage and enthused “we are so excited to welcome Ord Minnett as the naming rights partners of our pinnacle teams, the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers.

“This partnership gives us an exciting opportunity to really leverage the green and gold runway towards Brisbane 2032, as we want the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Stingers to be the pride of all Australians.

“In a sport that is largely played in Europe, preparing our teams for Olympic and international competition is a costly exercise. Our athletes are expected to juggle full time work and/or studies as well as an Olympic training program.

“The support from Ord Minnett will allow us to better support our squads and ensure our preparation is of the highest standard and allow us to represent Australia proudly at each and every Olympic Games.”

Ord Minnett’s Chief EXecutive, Karl Morris added “we are incredibly proud to partner with Water Polo Australia. This partnership aligns with our mission of helping generations of Australians reach their goals. Our commitment is to provide Water Polo Australia with the financial stability to concentrate on performance and participation in this iconic Australian sport, ultimately nurturing generations of success in the pool.”

Tokyo Olympian Bronte Halligan shared “we are so pleased to have Ord Minett partnering with Water Polo Australia.  A sponsor like this will help us prepare for the Paris Olympics, but also to help our teams and junior athletes as we prepare for LA 2028 and hopefully Brisbane 2032.

“In our sport we have to travel internationally a lot to ensure we can get more test matches under our belt and with Ord Minnett on board it will allow us to get more international competition and prepare for the next Olympics.”

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks and Stingers will depart Australia later this week to prepare for the 2023 World Aquatics World Championships in Japan from 14th-30th July.

New interim Chief Executive
At the end of last week it was announced that Tim Welsford would become Water Polo Australia's acting Chief Executive, following on from Richard McInnes departure to the Australian Sports Commission.

Image top: Partnership Announcement (from left)  Zoe Arancini, Bronte Halligan, Tilly Kearns, Richard McInnes (WPA CEO)m Karl Morris AO (CEO Ord Minnett), Blake Edwards, Tim Putt, Nathan Power; Image above:Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks & Aussie Stingers (from left) Nathan Power, Tim Putt, Blake Edwards, Bronte Halligan, Zoe Arancini, Tilly Kearns