The grant has led to significant growth in water polo, with a 60 per cent spike in memberships over the past year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canberra's Pathway Forward will allow for the water polo summer season to begin in November, and Water Polo ACT chief Ryan McDermott expected a busy end of the year.

"We've gone from having 330 members to around 530 which is surprising considering the year we've had," McDermott said.

"We've seen a fair jump in membership in the juniors ranks, but we've also seen growth in seniors as well. Our women's competition went from three teams to five teams in one year.

"It's been great to see that growth and see so many more people playing the sport."

The growth in water polo has led to the development of two new clubs over the past 12 months - the ANU Owls and Woden Waves.

And McDermott encouraged more people to give the sport a go.

"This summer we're launching a social competition which will start in February for people that are brand new to the sport and interested," McDermott said.

"We want to allow people to develop their skills before entering more competitive competitions."

McDermott became Water Polo ACT's first chief executive, made possible by the kickstart grant.

"Everyone in the ACT are volunteers apart from myself, so my job is to try and make their jobs easier," McDermott said.

"My aim is to support the members as best I can, and encourage them so that we can maintain the momentum we've built.

"Developing new programs to promote growth, developing relationships with stakeholders and supporting our Clubs as much as I possibly can are three of the biggest things I've been able to achieve in the role so far.

"It's been great to get stuck in."