2026 competition and calendar review – working group applications requested

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring all national competitive opportunities are relevant and engaging to all participants, we are forming a working group to review the structure and timing of all national competitions, the scope of the review is outlined below. Competition rules need to be reviewed but this will be a separate piece of work. A background paper has been developed highlighting the existing challenges with these aspects in relation to the structure of national competition as they currently stand, view here.

Currently, WPNZ is reacting to many event situations (often complex) as they present in an ad hoc manner. Over the last few years various options and models have been presented and either trialled or not, eventually coming up against some form of roadblock. We are aiming to agree on a way forward (in relation to the 3–5-year calendar and structures) that provides clarity for all parties and gives WPNZ staff certainty in terms of event planning and delivery.

Scope of the review

• Events (number and purpose). The review will look at all WPNZ national competitions, including age groups, national league and school competitions and their purpose plus whose needs they should meet, plus consideration to athlete over load
• Timing - The timings of all events on the national calendar will be reviewed to ensure any possible changes made improve the event flow and reduce the current level of congestion. 
• Venues (rotations) National distribution of events and suitable locations for each age group.
• Costs (equalisation and formats) How the sport might be more financially accessible to more people.
• Hosting (roles and responsibilities) What is fixed and what is flexible for WPNZ and hosts.

Working Group

The working group will be made up of representatives from the water polo community to ensure we obtain the views of key stakeholder groups such as players, clubs, schools, and national coaches. The working group will be chaired by Jamie Tong, a sports consultant (HT Consulting) with extensive experience in leading community consultation/change projects. HT Consulting will provide a level of independence in gathering the views of the working group and is charged with developing options to improve the competition framework and calendar which will then be provided to the wider community for input. 

Individuals who are interested in being part of the working group can review the terms of reference, competition analysis document and apply, here. 

Working group members will be selected based on their relevant experience and ability to commit to attending meetings. 

Applications close Wednesday 27th August with successful applicants notified Friday 29th August.

A face to face working group meeting is scheduled to be held in Auckland on Saturday 13th September.

Review process

• Working group formed
• Discussion paper developed for consideration by working group
• Working group convene to discuss and build out change options
• Change options provided to the wider community for input
• Input collated
• Working group consider community input and make any required changes – confirm change option
• Impact/change process advised to the wider community

Timing

The review will take place over the next 8 weeks with a view to provide initial options to the community by 19th September, and final decisions made by 3rd October. It is expected that any changes made to events or calendar timings will be implemented in 2026, but this will be confirmed once all impacts of any proposed changes are considered.

Action requested

We encourage interested members of our community with the relevant understanding of the competitive landscape to join the working group, apply here.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with CEO Jan Shearer on jan@nzwaterpolo.org.nz