U12 Junior Hippos
Welcome to GCWP Junior Hippos!💦
Get ready to make a big splash!
Welcome to GCWP Junior Hippos!💦
To all our returning and new GCWP Junior Hippos, we extend a huge and enthusiastic welcome back for the start of the new season! We are thrilled to kick off another season of fun, learning, and Water Polo excitement.
This year, we have a number of different programs designed to help you dive into the world of Water Polo. We'll be focusing on building your water confidence and mastering fundamental skills like the famous eggbeater kick, along with all the basics of passing and shooting—all within a safe, recreational, and fun environment.
This program is open to kids aged approximately 7-12 years. The minimum requirements for participation are the ability to swim 15 metres unassisted and to support themselves in deep water for 30 seconds.
This season offers several different options:
· Friday Nights Fun 5’s and Training Sessions.
Cost Term 4 $110 Term 1 $110 or term 4 &1 $200
· QLD Junior Country Championships 2025. ($160 tbc)
· U12 Fun Days. ($25 tbc)
· Remote Training Program. ($30)
· Water Polo Queensland State Titles 2026. ($180 tbc)
· Australian Youth Water Polo Championships 2026. ($350 tbc)
· U12 Fun 5’s Tournament. ($35 tbc)
· U10 Fun 5’s Tournament. ($35 tbc)
Friday Nights Fun 5’s and Training Sessions.
Junior Water Polo is back for Term 4 and Term 1 at Southport Pool! We're hosting Friday Night Game Nights from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. This season, we're adding a fun 5's competition to run alongside our regular training sessions. It's the perfect mix of skill development and game time!
Age Groups:
· U10s are those born 2016, 2017, 2018.
· U13s are those born 2013, 2014, 2015.
Key Dates:
- Term 4, 2025: October 17th, October 24th, November 7th, November 14th, November 21st and November 28th.
- Term 1, 2026: 30th January, February 6th, February 20th, February 27th, March 6th March 13th and March 27th.
Minimum registration. Bronze
QLD Junior Country Championships 2025
The Queensland Junior Country Water Polo Championships is a key annual event that provides a fantastic opportunity for regional junior players to represent their regional teams and compete against clubs from across the state. This year we are lucky to have 2025 Junior Country Championships will be held on the Gold Coast from the 5th - 7th December.
Minimum registration. Platinum Regional Youth
WATER POLO QUEENSLAND STATE TITLES 2026
The Water Polo Queensland (WPQ) State Titles is one of the premier annual competitions on the water polo calendar. It provides a highly competitive environment for club teams from across the state and is often a key part of the athlete pathway.
The 2026 Queensland State Titles will be hosted in Brisbane from January 12th - 20th.
Week 1 | 12-15 January 2026: 18&U and 14&U age groups
Week 2 | 17-20 January 2026: 16&U and 12&U age groups
Minimum registration. Platinum Regional Youth
U12 Fun Days
We're excited to introduce our U12 Fun Days, scheduled periodically throughout the year!
These two-hour sessions are open to everyone, and are a fantastic opportunity for:
- First-Timers: Kids who want to "come 'n' try" Water Polo in a supportive, fun, and low-pressure setting.
- All Players: Current athletes looking to enjoy the sport and focus on fundamental skills.
- Remote Athletes: Players participating in the remote training program to join in-person sessions, connect directly with coaches, and play alongside other athletes
2025/2026 Fun Day Schedule
Venue: Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
- Summer: Sunday, December 14th, 2025
- Autumn: Sunday, March 29th, 2026
- Winter: Sunday, June 28th, 2026
Minimum registration. Bronze
Remote Training Program
Water Polo Fun at Home! (Ages 12 & under)
Can't always get to the pool? Join our new Remote Water Polo Training Program! It's designed specifically for new and young players (U12) to learn and practice the sport without leaving home.
We make it easy and fun to build the fundamental skills you need!
- Video Lessons: Learn key Water Polo skills and movements through simple, easy-to-follow videos you can watch anytime.
- Home Drills: Get dry-land training plans to build strength, agility, and great ball-handling skills—no pool required!
- Online Coach Review: Send in a video of your practice! Our coaches will watch it and give you personalized tips to help you get better.
It’s the perfect way to start your Water Polo journey and be ready for the pool!
Minimum registration. Bronze
Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYC)
The AYC is the peak national festival of Water Polo for junior athletes, bringing clubs from across Australia together to compete for national titles. It is a major event and a key selection opportunity for Australian junior squad programs (National Age Group Program).
The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships will make a stunning return to Brisbane, Queensland in April, 2026.
Week 1 | 8-12 April 2026: 14&U and 18&U age groups
Week 2 | 14-18 April 2026: 12&U and 16&U age groups
Since the event launched in 2019, it has quickly grown to become a true festival of Water Polo for teams in the 12&U, 14&U, 16&U and 18&U events.
Minimum registration. Platinum Regional Youth
U10 & U12 Fun 5’s tournament
The Gold Coast Water Polo (GCWP) Fun 5's is our dedicated, entry-level competition designed to promote the sport and provide a low-pressure, high-engagement experience for our youngest athletes. This tournament's atmosphere focuses entirely on fun, friendly competition, and development.
Please note an important change for the 2026 event schedule:
Due to the planned redevelopment and temporary closure of the main competition pool, the U12 tournament will now be split across two weekends, and the U10 tournament has its own date. The Fun 5’s Days will be held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
To ensure all players have the chance to participate, the 2026 dates are as follows:
· U12 Girls' Fun 5's Sunday, August 16th, 2026
· U12 Boys' Fun 5's Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
· U10 Boys & Girls Fun 5’s Sunday, September 27th, 2026
Minimum registration. Bronze
U12 Water Polo Membership: What Parents Need to Know
Understanding your child's membership ensures they are covered (and insured!) for all their Water Polo activities this season.
ALL REGISTRATIONS LAST UNTIL AUGUST 31ST, 2026.
- BRONZE CATEGORY (Local Training) Cost: $11
What it Covers: This is the basic membership. It lets your child train locally on the Gold Coast and play in non-competitive events, like our U12 Fun Days.
- PLATINUM CATEGORY (Representative Competitions) Cost: $139
What it Covers: This membership is required if your child wants to play in any of the competitive tournaments, including: QLD Junior Countries, QLD State Titles, and the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYC).
The Upgrade Option
If your U12 player starts with the Bronze membership and decides to play in a competitive team, you must upgrade to Platinum.
- You only pay the difference: $128 ($139 Platinum fee minus the $11 Bronze fee already paid).
- You can upgrade at any time during the season.
Please note: This is only registration, and it doesn’t cover training or team fees.
For more information please email Gary MacDougal garycoach65@gmail.com