2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT | 3 STRATEGIC PLAN WHAT WE STAND FOR STRATEGIES Our Purpose WHY STATEMENT VISION 1. High Performance Advance water polo in WA To be WA’s most enjoyable team sport 1a. Talent Pathway • Identify and clearly define the pathway WHO WE ARE KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES • Implement changes and monitor State Sporting Organisation for water 1. High Performance – performance polo in WA • Talent Pathway 1b. Programs • Programs • Gain a clear understanding of WPWAI’s WHAT WE DO 2. Sports Development – role in HP Provide services to our members to enhance • Participation Growth • Increase our influence over HP programs their experience in the sport. • Developing Club Capacity 2. Sport Development 3. Operations 2a. Participation Growth OUR PEOPLE • Competitions & Events • Increase the number of venues Affiliated Clubs and Associations and • Data Collection • Attracting and retaining participants individual members of those clubs who 4. Governance & Management • Facilitate the entry of new clubs are registered with WPWAI. • Financial Model 2b. Developing Club Capacity • Governance Processes • Understand club development areas OUR VALUES of need • Friendly KEY ACTION PLANS • Enforcing minimum standards • Fair • Business /Operational Plan 3. Operations • Focused • Communications Plan 3a. Competitions & Events • High Performance Plan Review competition structure and formats • Value proposition for events that substantiates the notion of enjoyment 3b. Data Collection • Use data to enhance decision making process • Capture all participants and identify by segment 4. Governance & Management 4a. Financial Model • Increase revenues • Decrease office costs TABLE OF CONTENTS 2015/16 Management 5 Chairman and Executive Officer 6 Vale, Registration and Board Attendance 8 Mens High Performance 10 Womens High Performance 12 WA Representatives in National Squads 14 Aussie Sharks 16 Aussie Stingers 17 National Championship Results 18 Competition and Development Managers Report 20 State League Results - Seniors 22 Awards - Seniors 28 State League Results - Juniors 30 Awards - Juniors 34 WA Country Water Polo Association Report 36 National Water Polo League 38 Referees Commision Report 40 Awards 43 Info and Financials 46 Partners and Sponsors 64 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT | 5 2015/16 MANAGEMENT Board Members Chairman of Directors: Tom Hoad Director of Finance: Sean Rose Director: John Prior Director: Mark Oberman Director: Robert Neesham Director: Brieanna Mercer Director: Fiona Pixley Director: Andrew Law Director (Appointed): Andrew Garland Director (Appointed): Tracy Destree (Resigned April 2016) Director (Appointed): Lorraine Campbell (Appointed May 2016) Judiciary Chair : Michael Tudori Chief Executive Officer: Dale Ballantyne Competition and Development Manager: Tibor Seress Communications Coordinator: Melissa Newcombe/Ryan Wilson (Part-time) Administration Assistant: Fiona McGrath (Part-time) Life Members WPWAI 1951 Mr W. Atherden * 2007 Mr Russell McKinnon 1954 Mr A.J. Smith * 2012 Mr Phil Scales 1957 Mr Jack Bradley * 2016 Mr Gary Payne 1963 Mr J.P. Walsh * * Deceased 1968 Mr Cliff C. Hill * WACWPA 1969 Mrs D.M. Nordahl M.B.E * 2002 Mr Andy Halleen 1972 Mr Allan Charleston * 2003 Mr Gary Payne 1972 Mr O.D.T. De Ridder 2004 Mr Scott Halleen 1972 Mr Tom H. Hoad 2005 Mrs Tammie Read 1973 Mr Frank J. Sturgeon* 2006 Mr Craig Burrows 1976 Mr Stan R. Hammond* 2008 Mr Bob Butson 1985 Mr K. J. Christensen 2011 Mr David O’Connor 1986 Mr David C. Neesham O.A. 1986 Mr Edward J. Neesham O.A. 1993 Mr William Richardson * 2000 Mr Cornelius Regan * 2000 Mr Frank Widdicombe 2001 Mr Harry Neesham 2002 Mrs Betty Anderson 6 | 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE under the second year of the Chairman, Mr Tom Hoad, and has been extremely busy in the strategic areas of pathway access, facilities planning and diversity in participa- tion at all levels of the sport. 2015-16 will be the final year for WPWAI Board Member Rob Neesham. Rob has put a lot to time and energy into the sport of Water Polo in his position as a Board Member and we thank him for his contributions. The board has continued its work in reviewing its own performance, and has put into place strategies which will enable the continued advancement in the role of the WPWAI Board, and outline its importance in building for the future. The WPWAI Board continues to serve its members with a holistic outlook and striving for best practice governance. WPWAI has again recorded sound financial outcomes due to diligence of the Board and staff. Opportunities were seized to invest in participation, through Flippaball Packs and also infrastructure, via seating for the outdoor water polo pool at HBF stadium. Both of these investments are to assist in the future of water polo in this state. The SunSmart WPAWI Junior Grand Final day was live streamed once again, with great feedback and commendations on this initiative. The past year of water polo in WA has once again seen successful outcomes Auspole Sports, became a great supporter of water polo in WA in 2015-16, which achieved, in some areas of the game. These allowed WPWAI to distribute hundreds of balls throughout the state to stimulate success stories need to be celebrated by the amount of opportunity for the sport. Terry Mulligan deserves a great deal of the WA water polo fraternity, while also recognition and credit for his loyal and unwavering support. recognising other areas where joint and harmonious progress is required. WPWAI continues to be an industry leader in communications for its affiliates. The multi-site web strategy has started to reap rewards for affiliated clubs and associa- WPWAI continues to be an industry leader in tions take up the offer of the website. Transfer of information and the ability to share in each communications for its affiliates. The multi- other’s successes will help to market the sport site web strategy has started to reap rewards of water polo in WA. for affiliated clubs and associations who take up the offer Once again registered participants throughout of the website. Transfer of information and the ability to WA grew in number during 2015-16, continuing “share in each other's success will help market the sport the upward trend of recent seasons. The final of water polo in WA figures for 2015-16 were 3620 registered participants and club members for the year. All members of the Board of WPWAI take Once again recognition for the growth is due to the hard work of a lot of volunteers their roles extremely seriously and the and club members in conjunction with WPWAI. It would be a fantastic milestone amount of time it takes to be in an important for Water polo in WA to increase numbers again in2016-17 and reach the magical governance role for the sport needs to be figure of 4000 registered participants and club members, a target that I truly believe acknowledged. The Board has progressed can be achieved. 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT | 7 2015-16 saw water polo being played in three new centres, including the recently redeveloped Mandurah Aquatic Centre, where an exhibition game from the WAIS athletes marked the opening day. Tom Price and Paraburdoo were also officially welcomed as members of Karratha Water Polo Association. At a competition level, congratulations go to UWA Torpedoes, who won the men’s NWPL for the first time. Marking a successful season for the club, the women also reached the finals, along with Fremantle Marlins. WPWAI clubs also tasted success at Girls’18 level, Melville Marlins, and the City Beach club set an outstanding beanchmark by being crowned champions in all of the National age Group Championships. At a local level, City Beach won the men’s Premier League while Melville Marlins took out the women’s division. WPWAI continue to work on improving relationships with all stakeholders and has met with varying degrees of success. The relationships amongst clubs and with WWPAI continues to be one of the strongest challenges for the sport of water polo in WA ,while the changing Governance structures in sport at a national level in sport will require continual monitoring. Support of appropriate initiatives will continue from the WPWAI Board and staff, however, all support will be given in line with the WPWAI Strategic Plan and the outcomes within. All the above could not be accomplished without the support at various times from staff, board and all stakeholders and partners who are involved with WPWAI. It is often easier to overlook what has been achieved. Without Competition and Development Manager, Tibor Seress; Communications Co-ordinator, Melissa Newcombe; Administration Assistant, Fiona McGrath; WPWAI Bookkeeper, Chenelle Pappas; Ryan Wilson, Murdoch University Intern; the gains we have made in the sport during the past year would not have been made. WPWAI has again received strong support from: • Department of Sport and Recreation, and in particular our consultant Jacqui Jashari • Healthway, via the SunSmart message • Venues West and the staff at HBF Stadium and HBF Arena • Rob Thompson and the support staff at the WA Sports Federation • Chris Harrison and the staff at Water Polo Australia Limited. WPWAI would like to acknowledge the work done by WPAL CEO, Chris Harrison, who stepped down from his role after the Olympics. Finally, it would be remiss of us not to mention the 2016 Rio Olympians representing Australia, who hail from WA or who have spent some time in the state. Recognition goes to Gemma Beadsworth, Glencora McGhie and Zoe Arancini in the Stingers and Aaron Younger, Joel Swift, George Frod, James Stanton-French, Joe Keyes and Jarrod Gilchrist in the Sharks. Tom Hoad Chairman Dale Ballantyne Chief Executive Officer 8 | 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT VALE Frank Sturgeon (WPWAI Life Member) Reginald Boston Senior The Board and staff of Water Polo WA would like to On Sunday 28th February 2016, Reginald (Reg) Boston Snr acknowledge the lifetime of tireless work and positive passed away.