2019 Water Polo Australia AGM

Published Sat 23 Nov 2019

The 2019 Annual General Meeting of Water Polo Australia Limited (WPA) was today held in Sydney, with the WPA Board presenting the 2018-2019 Annual Report - click here

The Board higlighted key achievenments published in the report that included:

The organisation delivered a $323k surplus, with $468k in high performance funding carried forward for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games campaign
Water Polo Australia maintained its high performance funding through until December 2020
To date, fundraising efforts through the Australian Sports Foundation for the Aussie Sharks has delivered more $90,000
Water Polo Australia has singed the largest sponsorship in the sport's recent history through an extended partnership with KAP 7
The successful staging of the inaugural Australian Youth Water Polo Championship that delivered a new strategic partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing in its it first year saw more than 170 teams from across the country compete
WPA secured through the Australian Sports Commission 'Ageing Australia Grant' funding of $455,000 for water polo programs. That funding is currently on hold pending the outcome of the governance reform.
The appointment of new CEO Joelie Chisholm in December 2018.

The forum also held a moment's silence to acknowledge the passing of water polo greats Dr John Harrison, Bruce Falson, Les Kay and Raymond Smee.

John Whitehouse was admitted as a life member of Water Polo Australia, acknowledging his efforts and contributions to water polo nationally and internationally.

Prior to the AGM, President Thomas Whalan and fellow Board member Daniel Bartels stood down from their positions.

At the AGM new Board members were elected: John Whitehouse, Kay Copeland and Gerard Neesham. There is one casual vacancy to be filled by the new Board.

As Chair of the meeting, WPA Board member Andrew Knox on behalf of the Board and the whole organisation, thanked outgoing Board Members Phil Scales, Daniel Bartels, Thomas Whalan and Steve Blunt for their contribution to the sport.

Particular reference was made to outgoing President, four time Olympian Thomas Whalan for his service to the sport as an athlete and as a member of the Athlete's Commission, but more recently for his contribution as President of the WPA Board.