Tamworth Water Polo Association

The Tamworth Water Polo Association, with Water Polo NSW CEO Rick Hooper, hosted a strategic meeting on Sunday to discuss the stark reality of both public pools remaining closed through summer because of the drought.

Secretary Libby Magann said the association is remaining positive by looking for opportunities to play "in some form", or otherwise risk losing a player base that increased from 230 to 380 members in the past 12 months.

"We have put a lot of work into rebuilding over the last two years and the drought is the biggest threat to that," she said.

"Tamworth represents seven per cent of all NSW players - we are a major player in Water Polo NSW."

One option on the table is the Tamworth representative teams joining the Newcastle and Central Coast competition, traveling every third weekend to play three games in a bid to reduce costs.

For social grades Gunnedah, Armidale and Werris Creek pools are also being looked at as options to host modified games because of size, while an approach will also be made to 360 Fitness Club.

Of major concern is that anyone wishing to play in either of the two state tournaments will have to pay full registration with Water Polo NSW, as well as the increased travel costs.

"Without water we can't swim, train or play, but will still have to pay," Ms Magann said.

"We will be asking Water Polo NSW for a fee reduction, and are also going to be applying for drought relief funding to pay for registration, or even an inflatable field.

"We could take the inflatable field to any open water, like dams that still have water, or other pools and establish a fours competition with modified rules - instead of Beach 4's we could have Bush 4's."

The Association will now establish a "working party to put solutions in place to keep playing water polo in some form or another."