2024 WATER POLO AUSTRALIA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING UPDATE

The 2024 Water Polo Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Saturday 16 November.

At the AGM, the 2023/24 Annual Report was presented by the WPA Board (CLICK HERE).

Olympian and former Olympic coach Don Cameron, and Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist Debbie Watson were awarded Life Membership for their long standing service to the sport.

Outgoing Water Polo Australia Board Members Alex Alderson and Jodie Cross were acknowledged for their service to the sport.

Chris Corbin was elected to the WPA Board, alongside President Trent Birkett, and Susie Smith and Jacqueline O’Dwyer join the Board as appointed Directors.

WPA President Trent Birkett said: “Board continuity is critical and it is fantastic we have seven Board members continuing whilst welcoming Chris Corbin and Jacqueline O'Dwyer to the Board.”

“Chris is well known around water polo and a business executive, Jacqueline's expertise includes sport commercialisation which nicely rounds out the skills on the Board.

“It has been an honour being President since 2019 and I am grateful of the support of the Members and fellow Directors to be reelected again.  I look forward to working with all stakeholders to take our sport to the next level,” he said.

Birkett said it was great to reflect on the last 12 months at the AGM, and look ahead to some big projects on the horizon for WPA.

“Our fantastic performances at the Olympics this year capped off a year the sport took a big step forward.  With participation reaching record levels and certainty around funding, this year has positioned WPA well for the future,” Birkett said.

“Embedding the new high performance strategy is an immediate priority to ensure continued success on the world stage. Alongside this, developing athlete, coach and referee frameworks to ensure clarity and improvement.  

“This year we will also be updating the National Strategic Framework that was released in 2020 to take us through Brisbane 2032,” he said.

Chris Corbin  has been involved in water polo in all levels from a junior player, representative player, as well as a club, state and representative coach. Chris has been a member of committees of local clubs, Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) clubs, and the AWL Advisory Committee.

In the business world he is an investor, CEO and board member of various organisations ranging from Industrial marketplaces, Rent to Own industries and Wellbeing business. 

Jacqueline O’Dwyer has a background of vast experience across all levels of sport, currently serving as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Aligned Leisure, having worked at Aligned Leisure in a number of roles since 2021.

Prior to Aligned Leisure, Jacqueline worked at YMCA Victoria, where she fostered a values-based culture focused on staff growth, recognition, and high performance, enhancing team engagement and productivity.