The highlight of the 16-team competition will be the two mixed Orange sides thrown up by the Orange Aquatic Centre, while another Central West side in Scots All Saints will also take to the pool. 

The two sides will be the first Orange-only sides in a junior water polo competition hosted here in about a decade, and is also the first time the under 12s will be heading to the bush. 

Water Polo NSW's Ethan Rogers, who is the event coordinator for the under-12s, said it was incredibly promising to see junior sides in the region join these competitions.

"We've been holding these carnivals in regional areas for a while now and holding junior clinics but it's really nice seeing juniors coming through," he said. 

He said the bottom aged players like the under 12s filtering into the system was a sign of potential growth to come. 

"Through hard work over the past six years with clinics we're seeing some results," he said. 

"By hosting other events such as State Championships Festivals at Orange Acquatic Centre, regional participation and development for coaches, athletes and officials has and will continue boom for many years to come."

He said about 160 players would be in Orange for the championships, with another 150 parents, coaches, managers and staff also coming along for the ride, packing out the Orange Aquatic Centre from March 23-24. 

Rogers said training sessions would again run after the day's play, which was expected to finish at about 5pm, with sessions starting as soon as they could get in the water and would be catered for all skill levels.