2026 Primary Schools Competition

2026 Competition

The Sunshine Coast Water Polo competition has been established to encourage the growth of Water Polo throughout schools. The competition is open to all Schools on the Sunshine Coast for students in Years 3-6

Matches begin on Monday, 23 February. 

Round Matches: Monday 23 Feb | 2 March | 9 March | 16 March | 23 March
Finals: Monday 30 March (based on round results – no semi-finals) 1st v 2nd for Gold and 3rd v 4th for Bronze

A division has 6 teams
B division has 8 teams – teams highlighted in pink have 2 matches
C division has 6 teams

  1. The competition games will be played under current Australian Water Polo Rules, except for the rules and regulations outlined in this document. 
  2. Note rule changes – small water polo ball for Primary competition– such as Hart wp balls size 3, Delfina wp balls size 3, Mikasa Junior wp balls size 2
  3. Attached is a Code of Behaviour Form that players and parents are expected to sign prior to the first game night. It is the responsibility of the teacher in charge of water polo at each school to retain the signed forms.
  4. Each team MUST have a designated coach/manager who is either a staff member at that school, a parent of a student at that school or who holds a current and valid BLUE CARD. All teams MUST be accompanied by such a person at all games.
  5. The competition will be played in mixed teams of boys and girls
  6. After the round games teams will be divided into A and B divisions for the semis and finals if possible.
  7. Players may register and play for one team only.
  8. All schools must take responsibility for the insurance of their players and ensure that all are covered by their insurance prior to the first game.
  9. One parent/supporter from each team should assist as scorer/timekeeper for the game.
  10. Each team is to supply its own caps and balls- primary school balls.
  11. The first named team in the draw will supply the game ball and wear light caps and the second will wear dark caps.
  12. The points for the competition will be 

Win – 3 points                                   
Draw – 2 points
Loss – 1 point
Forfeit – points

There will be a 3 POINT PENALTY awarded to any team who forfeits and does not advise the opposition, the pool coordinator, the draw coordinator and the referee coordinator before midday on game day.

  1. For the purposes of deciding semi finals and finals:
  2. If two teams are equal at the end of rounds, the team who won the game between the two teams during the round shall receive the higher position;
  3. if more than two teams are equal, the higher position goes to the team with the highest goal average between the teams involved.
  4. Medals will be presented to Grand Final winners and Runners-Up in each division. The winning team will also be presented with a Perpetual Cup.

Game rules

  1. Games will be 4 x 6 minute quarters with a 1 minute break at quarter and three quarter time and a 2 minute break at half time. It is at the Pool Co-ordinator’s discretion to reduce this time to 4 minute quarters if required.
  2. Teams have 6 field players and a goalie in the water playing at a time.
  3. There must be a minimum of 5 players to start the game. 
  4. Teams MUST be in the water with caps on, jewellery and watches removed and nails trimmed at the designated start time.
  5. The game clock will start at the designated time. Should a team not have the minimum 5 players in the pool within 3 minutes of the designated start time, that team will be deemed to have forfeited the game.
  6. Throughout the competition rounds, draw games will not go into extra time.
  7. In the case of a draw in a semi final or final, the game will be decided by a penalty goal shoot out.