NewsBite

Live stream: KommunityTV to deliver 30 games of the 2023 Water Polo Queensland Premier League

Gear up for a thrilling Water Polo Queensland Premier League season and catch 30 games over four rounds streamed live on KommunityTV. All the details:

Replay: Water Polo Queensland Premier League Grand Finals - North Brisbane Polo Bears v UQ Barracudas (Women)

The Polo Bears and UQ Barracudas will return to the water to defend their crowns as the Water Polo Queensland Delfina Premier League kicks into top gear in October.

For the second-straight year, KommunityTV will be the only place fans can watch the action, exclusively live streaming 30 matches from the top tier state league.

The fortnightly coverage of the Premier League, which kicks off with Round 1 action on Sunday, October 15, will include every medal match on November 27. See the full season live stream schedule below.

Water Polo Queensland Operations Manager Ash Kaesler said the live streaming service will benefit the wider water polo community both in Queensland and on the national stage.

“It’s fantastic that no matter where you are, you can tune in to watch the best athletes Queensland, and arguably Australia, have to offer,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity to get our sport out there to the general population.”

Preparations for the Premier League season, which is now entering its fourth year, began in February.

“It’s been a long lead-in process,” Kaeslar said.

“There is so much passion that goes into it and we’re excited to put together a competition of such high quality for the athletes and coaches who are poolside.

“Without a doubt there is a lot of planning and pain and hard work, but the ultimate reward is seeing athletes in the water.”

Polo Bears will return to the water to defend their gold medal in the women’s competition after knocking off UQ Barracudas 8-5 in the grand final.

The men’s UQ Barracudas had more luck last season when they defeated the Carina Leagues Warriors in a nail biting 7-6 grand final.

North Brisbane Polo Bears vs UQ Barracudas, Water Polo Queensland's Defina Premier League Grand Final, Fortitude Valley. Picture: Liam Kidston
North Brisbane Polo Bears vs UQ Barracudas, Water Polo Queensland's Defina Premier League Grand Final, Fortitude Valley. Picture: Liam Kidston

This year there are six women's teams and seven men’s on show, with most starting their season preparation in July.

“We cover everywhere from the southeast corner on the Gold Coast up to Bush Rangers in our men‘s comp which captures athletes from Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton,” Kaeslar said.

“We have a plethora of Olympic athletes at home who will be competing as well as ex-Olympians in coaching and athlete roles.”

“The whole premise of the Premier League is to link junior players to senior pathways… it’s an opportunity for existing and emerging talent in Queensland.

“We’re lucky that across our teams we have nationally identified athletes who are making their mark.”

Round one will get underway at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on Sunday with two rounds of action across two pools. KommunityTV’s coverage will only include matches from the main pool.

Each round of the Premier League will be hosted at a different venue throughout the 2023 season, the decision set to provide more accessibility to travelling athletes.

“We understand the sacrifices that athletes make to participate in this league and it’s definitely a step to keep them in the competition,” Kaeslar said.

“The aim is to be as diverse in travel as possible.”

Originally published as Live stream: KommunityTV to deliver 30 games of the 2023 Water Polo Queensland Premier League

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/live-stream-kommunitytv-to-deliver-30-games-of-the-2023-wpq-premier-league/news-story/3eea444079356691f5ba35d10a4aefb1