Perth’s LGBTQIA+ water polo team, the White Pointers, are set to head to Queensland and face off in a tournament against three other east coast clubs.
The WA boys will battle it out against the Brisbane Tritons, Sydney Stingers and Melbourne Surge next Saturday in Fortitude Valley for the White Pointers’ first inter-state match.
We caught up with one of the club’s organisers Gary Namestnik to find out how the team is faring ahead of this weekend’s tourney.
How did the White Pointers get started?
It all started with a chance meeting in Brisbane in December last year. I had been over in Brisbane, competing in the Aqualicious swim teams interclub carnival.
This is where I met a number of guys from the newly formed Brisbane Tritons team (which had formed the previous year). They convinced me it was a good idea to set to an LGBTI+ water polo team in Perth, and with the backing from their president, and the presidents from the Sydney Singers and the Melbourne Surge, I felt I had enough support to start a team.
Once I was back in Perth, I contacted several LGBTI+ groups to gauge interest in setting up a team, I also enlisted the support of a few friends. By the end of December, we held our first meet and greet and had formed a facebook page.
Over the past 6 months now our team has partnered with the Phantoms Water Polo Club down at Beatty Park, who provide us with support, training, and coaches. Our team’s now at over 50 players.
How is the team preparing for the big game?
In preparation for Brisbane, we’re doing 3 training nights a week, practising water polo drills, ball skills, as well as playing a number of games. Most of the players are also doing extra training such as gym, or extra swimming sessions.
Did you expect the friendly team would be playing interstate so soon?
I suppose because our team has been in close contact with the eastern states teams from the get-go, and since these teams have been relentless in pushing us to get a team together for this pride match, it hasn’t been a big surprise.
Our team has been training hard, but there is still a long way for us to go!
If you’d like to get involved with White Pointers or other LGBTQIA+ sporting and social clubs around Perth, head to teamperth.info to find out more.
OIP Staff
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