TRENT BIRKETT - PRESIDENT

Trent was elected as a Director of Water Polo Australia on 25 November 2017.  He has been involved in water polo for over 35 years as a player, manager, coach and Director on the Water Polo ACT Board. Trent played over 300 national league games and represented Australia at the junior, university and senior levels.                    

As the Chief Operating Officer at the National Portrait Gallery, Trent manages a team responsible for the planning, development and strategic management of the finances, human resources, governance, ICT and facilities. He brings experience in the commercialisation of government funded entities and has worked closely with the governing Board ensuring appropriate governance practices are in place.

Trent holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Information Systems) and Bachelor of Economics from the Australia National University. He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.                                   

BRONWEN KNOX - ATHLETES' COMMISSION CHAIR

Four-time Olympian, dual Olympic bronze medallist and Australia’s highest capped female player, Bronwen is one of Australia’s most successful water polo players making history last year, being the first Australian Women’s Water Polo athlete to compete at four Olympic Games.                    

Bronwen represented the senior National Team from 2005 to 2021, winning gold, two silver and a bronze at various World Cups, and two silver and a bronze at various World Championships. She has Captained the Aussie Stingers in 2010, 2013 – 2016. Bronwen has also played 2 seasons in the USA NCAA competition and two seasons in European professional league, winning a European title in 2014.

Outside of the sporting arena she has completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Public Health and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. She currently works as National integrity Manager for NSOs of Taekwondo, Judo and Boxing.  She also works from time to time as an education presenter within the areas of sport integrity and respectful behaviours.  Bronwen is a Member of the National Sports Tribunal and was appointed as Deputy Chef de Mission for Paris 2024.

CHRIS CORBIN - BOARD DIRECTOR

DON CAMERON - BOARD DIRECTOR

Don Cameron comes to the WPA board bringing over 30 years of experience in sports participation and high performance.

An Olympic water polo athlete, Don captained the first year of the AIS men’s program. He was a coach throughout four Olympic campaigns including as head coach of the men’s team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Moving to the Australian Sports Commission in 2001, Don oversaw the funding, participation, high performance, governance and integrity relationships between the Commission and the AIS with over 20 National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) from grass roots to Board and CEO level. For the last 5 years of Don’s career with the AIS, he worked with NSOs to review and manage their athlete pathways using evidence based assessment and international best practice research. Don is currently chair of WPA's Sport Development Committee, Chair of WPA Technical Committee and is a member of the World Aquatics Technical Committee.    

 Don worked as a physical education and science teacher for ten years before his coaching and administration careers during which he graduated with a Master of Business Administration majoring in marketing and public relations. He also holds a graduate diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.                                                

JACQUI O'DWYER - BOARD DIRECTOR

Jacqui is a highly experienced and accomplished leader in the Aquatic and Leisure industry, with a distinguished background as a former National athlete. Currently serving as Interim CEO for Aligned Leisure, Jacqui oversees operations across 49 New South Wales and Victoria locations, driving strategic initiatives to enhance community engagement and operational excellence.

In her substantive role as Strategic Projects Manager, Jacqui is responsible for implementing Aligned Leisure’s Strategic Plan deliverables, managing risk and compliance certifications across three ISO standards, and leading the evaluation of community impact outcomes. Her expertise includes forging partnerships that generate revenue while delivering meaningful social value.

Jacqui has an extensive history in aquatic operations, including managing Aligned Leisure’s school-based facilities at Caulfield Grammar School’s three metropolitan campuses. She collaborated with Water Polo Victoria to launch the innovative 'Learn to Water Polo' pilot programs and facilitated the use of Caulfield's facilities for premier events such as National League games, junior camps, and training sessions.

Her leadership extends to integrating sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation initiatives between Aligned Leisure and the Richmond Football Club, further demonstrating her commitment to creating positive, inclusive, and impactful environments. Jacqui brings a unique combination of industry expertise, stakeholder collaboration, and a passion for water polo.

DR KAY COPELAND - BOARD DIRECTOR

Kay is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapy in 2018) and works in a private sports medicine clinic. Kay has previously served on the WPA Board from 2010 -2014 and was Chair – Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and a member – Remuneration Committee.                    

Kay has unique backgrounds in both sports management and elite sports medicine. Kay worked for 17 years for Sports Medicine Australia-Victorian Branch and then managed the medical program for Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Kay currently works as a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in two elite sports medicine clinics and has worked internationally for women’s tennis and Australian Women’s basketball and was the first person to work with the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team from 1984-1991 including their historic 1986 World Championship win in Madrid.                    

Kay has been involved in water polo for over 40 years having started playing for Footscray Swimming and Water Polo Club and been involved at all levels of water polo – player, coach, manager, physiotherapist, Victorian Board member and inaugural Chair Victorian ITC program.                    

Kay has a degree in physiotherapy and a degree and masters in physical education and completed ongoing education in sports management, business, physiotherapy and sports medicine and the AICD Company Directors Course. Kay is currently a life member of Footscray Swimming and Water Polo Club, Fellow Sports Medicine Australia, Member Australian Physiotherapy Association and Member Australian Institute of Company Director.                    

LISA LILLEYMAN - BOARD DIRECTOR

Lisa has over two decades experience in managing and advocating for Sport across all levels from grass roots through to high performance and elite and is currently Relationship Manager with the Australian Olympic Committee.  She believes sport has the power to create strong communities and social cohesion, improve mental health and wellbeing and provide a source of inspiration for our youth.                    

Lisa brings extensive experience in delivering strategic advice and structural change related to organisational objectives, primarily in the not-for-profit sector.  Through her work with various State organisations in stakeholder management and Government liaison, she brings an extensive sporting and corporate network to the Water Polo Australia Board.                    

Lisa has been involved in Water Polo as a player, parent and manager since 2009.  She values authenticity and has a genuine desire to see Water Polo Australia grow and take advantage of the runway to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.  Holding a bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education from UWA, Lisa is a member of the Australian Institute of Management WA, has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and also currently sits on the Board of Royal Life Saving WA.            

STUART COVENTRY - BOARD DIRECTOR

Stuart has over 20 year's experience in Sport and Entertainment, having spent five years as COO of one of the biggest Live Action Sports brands, Crusty Demons, seven years as CEO of the Melbourne Renegades in cricket's Big Bash League (BBL Champions 2019), and as COO of Basketball Australia.                    

Stuart has consulted across sports such as Swimming, Golf and more recently with Food and Drink Victoria (Melbourne Food and Wine Festival).                    

Stuart holds a Bachelor of Business/Marketing Degree, and has completed a Senior Executive Progam in Negotiation and Competitive Decision Making at Harvard Business School.  Stuart is also a Chartered Accountant.                    

SUSIE SMITH - BOARD DIRECTOR

Susan (Susie) was appointed to the Board of Water Polo Australia in January 2018. As a highly regarded chief executive, Susie leads a network of some of Australia's largest businesses, in national and international climat change and energy policy.  Her leadereship and strategic insights have shaped policy for these critical sectors, navigating complex environments and driving impactful change.  She brings extensive executive and board experience in strategic planning, government relations, and project approvals.  

Susie holds directorships with the South Australian Cricket Association and Future Energy Exports CRC and is a Ministerially appointed member of the Federal Government's Climate Change Authority and the South Australian Premier's Climate Change Council.  Susie is a dual Australian representative in water polo (1989-90) and swimming (1991-93) and has represented South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory as a player, captain and coach (1986-94, 2005-07).                    

Her unique perspective, drawn from experiences in both the corporate world and elite sports, significantly contributes to the development of programs to achieve high-performance success and broaden our membership, embodying the vision "to make our sport, your sport".