TRENT BIRKETT - PRESIDENT

Trent has been involved in water polo for over 30 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.
In his professional role as the National Portrait Gallery Chief Operating Officer, Trent manages teams responsible for the development and strategic management of finances, human resources, 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.

ALEX ALDERSON - BOARD DIRECTOR

Alex is an accomplished leader in Australian sport.  Starting his career in professional services – as a lawyer and management consultant – Alex then joined the National Rugby League where he held various management and executive roles, most recently leading the NRL’s broadcast media, digital and consumer divisions.  Today, Alex works with Sportsbet as its Head of Value Strategy.  Alongside his commitment to the WPA Board, Alex is an advisor to sports technology start-ups via the global venture capital fund, Techstars, and is a guest lecturer in sports law and digital innovation at UNSW, UTS and Bond Universities.  Alex is passionate about the role that sport plays in the community and is a strong advocate for the role that technology can play in helping sport grow through better engagement with its fans and participants.

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.

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 the chair of WPA's High Performance and Technical Committees 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.

JODIE CROSS - BOARD DIRECTOR

A leading strategist and senior executive widely acknowledged for her commercial acumen, strategic vision, and knowledge and understanding of the sporting landscape in Australia and abroad that is robust and unparalleled. A ground- breaking career forged over 20 years in the highly competitive Australian professional sports market, driving and delivering commercial outcomes, media and digital strategy and major events.

Charged with growing and establishing the NSW Blues as one of the premier sporting brands in the world, she secured the largest sponsorship deal in the history of the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), where she has been employed since October 2014, as the first female senior executive in the organisation’s 109-year history. Worked with National Rugby League (NRL) Clubs in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as at the governing body, the NRL, in a broad range of roles, from Healthy Lifestyles Manager, Player Welfare and Development, and Community Relations Manager to her current position as Chief Commercial Officer. Highly creative and a confident and strong communicator with proven ability in event management, management of digital ecosystems, writing and presenting sponsorship proposals, and designing and executing marketing and communication plans.

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 an elite sports medicine clinic 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 9-year 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 & Entertainment, having spent 5 years as COO of the one of the biggest Live Action Sports brand’s Crusty Demons, 7 years as CEO of the Melbourne Renegades in crickets Big Bash League (BBL Champions 2019), and as COO of Basketball Australia.

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

Stuart holds a Bachelor of Business/Marketing Degree, and has completed a Senior Executive Program 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. She is a highly regarded chief executive working in national and international climate change and energy policy and has a successful background in elite sports.

Susie brings executive and board experience in strategy, governance and risk, and sustainability. Working across corporate and sports businesses, she holds directorships with the South Australian Cricket Association, Future Energy Exports CRC, and is a member of the Federal Government’s Climate Change Authority.

Susie is committed to the continued development of water polo: both elite success and broadening our membership base to “make our sport, your sport”. Susie is a dual Australian representative: water polo (1989-90) and swimming (1991-93). She represented South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory as a player, captain, and in coaching roles (1986-94 and 2005-07).