ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 CONTENTS 2018/19 Management 2 Board Participation 3 Member Statistics 4 Chair and General Manager's Report 5 Sport Development Manager's Report 7 Men's High Performance Report 9 Women's High Performance Report 11 Sun Smart Referee's Commission Report 13 Masters' Report 15 Country Association Report 17 Season 2018/19 Result 19 AP1 - Financial Reports* *Accompanying document refers. 2018/19 MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBERS Chair Mr Tom Hoad Deputy Chair Mr John Hedges Director Mr Sean Rose Director Mr Rod Brown Director Ms Caitlin Read Director Mr Stuart Dart Director Mr Michael Sturgeon Director (appointed) Ms Pippa McIntosh Director (appointed) Mr Jonathon Shellabear Judiciary Chair Mr Michael Tudori WATER POLO WA STAFF General Manager Ben Haywood Competition and Development Officer Tibor Seress Marketing Assistant Blanka Lesti (Part-time) Administration Assistant Jennifer Jenaway (Part-time) LIFE MEMBERS 1951 Mr W. Atherden * 1986 Mr David C. Neesham O.A. WAC W PA 1954 Mr A.J. Smith * 1986 Mr Edward J. Neesham O.A. 2002 Mr Andy Halleen 1957 Mr Jack Bradley * 1993 Mr William Richardson * 2003 Mr Gary Payne 1963 Mr J.P. Walsh * 2000 Mr Cornelius Regan * 2004 Mr Scott Halleen 1968 Mr Cliff C. Hill * 2000 Mr Frank Widdicombe 2005 Mrs Tammie Read 1969 Mrs D.M. Nordahl M.B.E * 2001 Mr Harry Neesham 2006 Mr Craig Burroughs 1972 Mr Allan Charleston * 2002 Mrs Betty Anderson 2008 Mr Bob Butson 1972 Mr O.D.T. De Ridder 2007 Mr Russell McKinnon 2011 Mr David O’Connor 1972 Mr Tom H. Hoad 2012 Mr Phil Scales 2017 Natasha O'Neill 1973 Mr Frank J. Sturgeon 2016 Mr Gary Payne 1976 Mr Stan R. Hammond* 1985 Mr K. J. Christensen *Deceased 2 BOARD PARTICIPATION MEETINGS ATTENDED BOARD MEMBERS ROLE % AUG OCT NOV DEC FEB MAR M AY JUN Tom Hoad*1 Chair l l l l l l l 88% Sean Rose Director of Finance l l l l l l l 88% Brieanna Mercer*2 Director l l l l l l NA NA 100% Pippa McIntosh*3 Director l l l l l l 75% John Hedges Deputy Chair l l l l l l l 88% Rod Brown Director l l l l l l 75% Stuart Dard*4 Director NA l l l l l l 75% Caitlin Read*4 Director NA l l l l l l 75% Michael Sturgeon*4 Director NA l l l l l l 75% Jonathon Shellabear*5 Director NA l l l l l 82% Lorraine Donachie*6 Director l NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 100% Ben Haywood General Manager l l l l l l l l 89% *1 Elected September 2018 *2 Resigned March 2019 *3 Re-appointed October 2018 *4 Elected September 2018 *5 Appointed October 2018 *6 Resigned August 2018 No meetings were held in July, September, January or April. 3 MEMBER STATISTICS 2018/19 4,344 MEMBERS 1,893 2,141 MATCHES PLAYED 1,036 212 TEAMS 678 4,234 GOALS SCORED 4 CHAIR AND GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT The 2018-2019 Water Polo year has throughout WA, grew in number ones coming back to assist. This been a successful season both during 2018-19 continuing the program will again occur in 2019- in and out of the pool, with the upward trend of recent seasons. 2020. continuation of already established This season we saw a 3% On a national level Water Polo quality competitions and the increase in membership with just WA congratulates the Fremantle introduction of new and enhanced over 4500 participants taking Marlins (Silver) and Mariners programs. part in organised Water Polo. (Bronze) for their success in the Congratulations to everyone who The board has continued OVO Australian Water Polo League. has made this possible. its work in reviewing its own Water Polo WA has successfully performance and has put into Auspole Sports, continued to hosted and delivered the 2019 FINA place strategies which will enable be a great supporter of water World League Inter Continental the continued advancement of polo in WA and has recommitted Cup, which saw some of the the role of the WPWAI Board and to the sport in WA for a further world’s best return to Perth. outline its importance in building two (2) years, which allowed for the future. During 2018-2019, WPWAI to distribute hundreds All members of the Board of the Board began consultation of balls throughout the state WPWAI take their roles extremely with its members regarding the to stimulate the amount of seriously and the amount of time development of a new three opportunity for the sport. it takes to be in an important (3) year strategic plan for the governance role for the sport At a competition level 2018-2019 sport. This, however, was placed needs to be acknowledged. The saw our A Grade competition on hold, midway through 2019, Board continues to work across continue to develop and grow due to a “whole of sport” review the strategic areas of pathway in both our junior and senior being conducted by Water Polo access, facilities, planning and competitions. Water Polo WA Australia, its members and Sports diversity in participation at all levels are continuing to review our Australia on the governance of the sport. competition structures to model going forward. We hope a ensure that we are providing Water Polo would like to clear direction is established by the best possible experience for acknowledge long term board the end of 2019 early 2020. The our participants. In 2018-2019 we member, past chair and deputy WPWAI Board continues to serve successfully implemented a club chair, Brieanna Mercer who its members by having a holistic referee program for our senior resigned from the Board during outlook and striving for best Wednesday night competition, the year. We thank Brieanna for practice governance. which saw new referees her contribution to the sport over Once again, registered participants introduced into the sport and old six (6) years, particularly in the 5 areas of governance and compliance. 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. Without Sport Development Manager, Tibor Seress; Communications Coordinator, Blanka Lesti; Administration Assistant, Jen Jenaway, WPWAI Bookkeeper, Karina Foxon and the Development staff of Tom Prior, Dayna Oleary, Davis Verboon and others who have assisted in delivering programs during the year. WPWAI has again received strong support from: • Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries, and in particular our consultant Sam Shields • 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 • Joelie Chisholm and the staff at Water Polo Australia Limited. Tom Hoad Chair Ben Haywood General Manager 6 SPORT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER'S REPORT Season 2019 was capped off by ence easier and more enjoyable Water Polo WA are now looking to hosting the FINA World League for our members. We are hoping introduce the Under 18B division as Inter-Continental Cup, whilst we to see and utilize more accredited well for males. also witnessed some fantastic coaches and officials each year The WA Country Championships local talent battle it out in our local for our competitions in WA and was hosted by Busselton Water Grand Finals. Australia wide. Polo Club in 2019. The tournament It was a busy season with records We have unfortunately seen a was a success and teams and set by the number of games decrease in the team numbers of clubs competing and working played and referees provided our A grade women’s competition together well to make the annual throughout the competition in 2018-19 which ensured the two event enjoyable and competi- rounds. Water Polo WA would like conference system was not viable tive. In the women’s competition, to thank all our hard working and on their own. In the Men’s com- Karratha Water Polo Association dedicated officials and volunteers. petitions, both North and South won the gold medal, for first time In our State League competition conferences were functional with in history, defeating the Bunbury alone we had over 650 games that the North teams giving an oppor- women in the final. Amongst the had two referee’s allocated for all tunity to a large number of junior men, Bunbury proved to be the but a handful of games. age group athletes. Melville Water strongest side this year winning Polo Club won premierships in both against Geraldton’s men. Water Polo Australia introduced a Men’s and Women’s A grade this new membership and competition In the Australian Water Polo 2018-19, for which we congratulate online platform which is run by League, both Fremantle teams them. Revolutionize Sport. The system finished within the top three (3) was embraced by all clubs and the We have divided our Junior State teams in Australia with the Marlins whole Water Polo community in League since the beginning of this just missing out on the Gold medal, WA. As with any new system there summer season with the Under losing in the last quarter against have been some initial challenges, 14B and 16B divisions playing on the Queensland AWL team. The with some adjustments required Sunday afternoons instead of Mariners finished in third place with when moving to the new system. Monday nights. The new com- a confident win against Sydney petition day, introduced to our University on their last match at This year was also a big step younger teams, worked well and Sydney Olympic Park.