Water Polo Australia (WPA), the governing body for the sport in Australia, invites expressions of interest for two Director positions due for election on its Board at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2026.
There are over 20,000 registered water polo players in Australia and another 9,000 playing in schools. It has been an Olympic sport since 1900 and Australia has competed with distinction since its first team’s appearance in 1948.
The Paris Olympic Games saw the Australian Women’s Team, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers, claim the Olympic Silver medal, rocketing the Stingers into history as the sport’s second most successful team, eclipsed only by the Gold medal won by the side at the Sydney 2000 Games (where women’s water polo was admitted for the first time).
The Australian Men’s Team, the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks, finished eighth in its competition in Paris, edged out of the quarter-finals following a dramatic penalty shootout, which the USA won 5-4.
WPA is a business with ~$10m turnover, governed by its Board of Directors. The organisations strategic plan: 2032+ Powered by Purpose was released last year and sets the organisation’s course, with goals of:
- $20m annual revenue;
- 30,000 active members nationally; and
- 2 medals for the Aussie Sharks and Aussie Stingers.
Expressions of interest are sought from skilled professionals who have an enthusiasm to support the growth and development of water polo in Australia toward these ambitions.
Directors must be able to commit to six to eight board meetings a year, an AGM, and to serve on one, and ideally two, committees, each of which meets four times per year, plus necessary preparation time. The position is voluntary with expenses reimbursed.
The Board has delegated powers to the following Committees to assist it in discharging its duties: Finance and Audit; Governance, Risk and Integrity; High Performance; Play; Strategy and External Affairs; History and Tradition; and Youth Advisory.
Water Polo in Australia is organised in a federated structure. All Australian states and territories (except the NT), and the Clubs that participate in WPA’s premier national league competition, comprise the voting and financial members of WPA, who vote in the election of directors, following receipt of independent advice from its Nominations Committee.
The Nominations Committee has identified, through its skills analysis, that applicants must have the following skills and experience in order to be considered for the position of director:
- An understanding of the fiduciary duties of directors and their application within modern governance environments. Qualification evidencing governance training undertaken and completed will be highly regarded;
- An understanding of the Australian sport system, ideally with knowledge of participation and/or high-performance sport; and
- A high level of qualifications and/or experience in one or more of the following areas, characterised by holding formal qualifications and greater than 5 years’ direct professional experience in:
- Accounting and Finance
- Legal
- Public relations, media, marketing, communications, or broadcast
- Digital innovation and information technology
EOIs received will be reviewed by the WPA Nominations Committee which will also interview candidates, at its discretion, in October 2026 prior to drafting its report to the members
The names and bios of candidates who are recommended to proceed to election will be submitted to members no later than seven days prior to the AGM which is to take place on 11 November 2026.
How to Apply
If you are interested in becoming a Director please:
- Complete the applicable Nomination Form (see below links) according to the instructions on it.
- Submit your CV which should not exceed 2 A4 pages using size 10 font as a minimum.
Your completed Nomination form and CV are to be submitted to secretary@waterpoloaustralia.com.au no later than 6 October 2026.
Water Polo Australia Board Nomination Form (Member nominated) – CLICK HERE
Water Polo Australia Board Nomination Form (Self-nominated) – CLICK HERE
