Australia Day water polo match to test footy players and lifeguards at Watsons Bay

FOOTY players and lifeguards will turn to water polo on Sunday for a special Australia Day match at Watsons Bay.

AFL players and Bondi lifeguards will try their hand at water polo on Sunday as Watsons Bay hosts a star-studded match as part of Australia Day celebrations.

Sydney Swans, GWS Giants and water polo Olympians will size each other up in the bay in front of Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel.

Organiser Thomas Whalan said the event would be a "typically Aussie" way to celebrate the Australia Day weekend, adding that the focus was on offering a family friendly event.

"It's not a ticketed event so families can come down and watch from the sand or the wharf, or you can have that party feel and watch the game with a drink from the hotel," Mr Whalan said.

"Getting athletes from other codes to have a go at water polo always shows how hard the sport is, and it's always a laugh to see these elite athletes from the football codes struggle when it comes to sports in the water."

Hotel owner Fraser Short opened the pop-up bar Watsons Beach Club in the hotel beer garden for the summer and is supporting the event.

"I think it's a different way to celebrate the Australia Day weekend and it's pretty much perfect for this location," Mr Short said.

"The event will be raising funds for Nelune Foundation which provides world-class facilities and services to cancer patients and their families, so we're asking people to donate where possible on the day."

Matches start at 10am.