Faces of AYWPC I Michael McNeil 'Macca' (Victoria)

When you become a part of the water polo community, it is not uncommon to wear many hats. From player to referee, coach to team manager, committee member or board member… there are lots of roles that people put their hands up for to help the game operate at all levels. 

For the last 50 years, Victoria’s Michael McNeil ‘Macca’ has filled many roles… in fact, there aren’t too many he hasn’t done. 

His playing career started with Melbourne’s Wesley College, his roles as a player, event manager, referee and official, has made him a familiar face around water polo pool decks across Australia and internationally. 

After an injury halted his playing career, Macca sought out other opportunities in the sport that opened doors for him both in Australia and abroad. 

“I started in water polo as a 14 year old in school then I made a state team in Victoria. I played for about 20 years and hurt my back, so I went into coaching and refereeing. 

“The refereeing was really good for me and I got to do a lot of National League games and was an international referee for 9 years,” he said. 

His passion for water polo extends of all levels, from the grassroots competitors through to the elite competition. 

Having played a role at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships since it was launched in 2019, McNeil said it is great to have young people back playing water polo at national level. 

Macca, a proud Victorian, lives in one of the States hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with lockdowns. He knows just how much these tournaments mean to the young people. 

“It is great to be back at the Australian Youth Championships.  We have all been stuck in our States trying to do the best we can, it is very hard and it is great for kids to be able to come to a tournament like this.

“This event is really important, to have this many kids learning how to play the game with consistent rules is crucial,” he said. 

The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships aims to get young people involved in the sport no matter their ability or skill level. But is also a launching pad for young people who have aspirations to represent their State and country. 

Macca over the years has seen some great Aussie talent come through the ranks and appreciates the importance of consistent competition to ensure Australian athletes are afforded opportunities on par to the bigger European countries. 

“I’ve seen so many good athletes over the years… Charlie Turner, Andrew Whiteman, Deb Watson in the modern group of players the likes of AJ Roach, Rhys Howden, Richie Campbell and Rowie Webster we have so many really good players. There were some real characters as well like Daniel Masdian,” he said.

But it’s not just the great Australian team players that McNeil admires most about the sport… it’s the friendships, passion for water polo and the new talent coming through. 

McNeil said the AYWPC is a great opportunity for everyone involved, including the coaches, officials and referees, as it provides the chance for collaboration. 

“It’s funny I was having a chat with Mini [Ian] Trent last night, we are both the same… we love coming back and meeting all our mates, and to see the new kids coming along, and the potential Olympians, that is why we do it. 

“The thing is even when we are having dinner or having a couple of beers with other coaches and officials, we are always talking about water polo and a lot of good things come out of those situations when we are all together, that's really important as well.”