FACES OF AYWPC | Russell McKinnon (Western Australia)

You’ve likely read Russell McKinnon’s name across international water polo news websites and sports reports, but at the 2022 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, you’ll see McKinnon trading the pen for the whistle.

McKinnon is one of the many people at the AYWPC who has water polo running through his veins, wearing multiple hats depending on what day of the week it is.

While community water polo is where it all began for McKinnon, the experienced sports journalist has also had the opportunity to travel the world and report on some of the biggest water polo sporting moments over the last two decades, attending six Olympic Games and more FINA events then he can count.

Now a proud West Australian, living in Geraldton, McKinnon got his start in water polo in his native home of New Zealand where he represented his country as a player. He’s gone on to hold roles in coaching, refereeing and as an administrator, giving him a strong understanding of the game that makes his water polo reporting unrivaled.

After two years of delays and cancellations, and with so many States isolated from each, McKinnon said it was great to have all the States and junior players back together.

“It is fantastic watching these kids, the 14 year olds, they are just brilliant, what they are doing, the experience of being a part of it [AYWPC].

"I see us referees as being like coaches… helping the kids with the rules and watching them improve over the weekend.

“We have been stuck in WA for two years, you can only see so much of your local scene. Now to come and make friendships that will last them a lifetime, it's fantastic,” he said.

McKinnon said what he has been able to take away from water polo, is life long friendships and a sport that can be enjoyed, wherever life might take you.

“The good thing about water polo is you can go to any city in the world and jump in and play with the local people. Everybody is welcoming, they want you to come and learn. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what level you are in, you can just hop in and play.

“I have been lucky enough to do that all over the world and I have been lucky enough to have those people stay with me in Perth many times, three to four national teams come to my house in fact,” he said.

The water polo veteran, like many at the AYWPC, is passionate about mentoring and helping others come through the sport, whether as players, officials or coaches.

“It's important for us to pass on our knowledge and encourage people in their roles. If we can encourage people to come along and referee, because we need referees, our sport will be better for it.

“I enjoy seeing people [aged] under 20 refereeing and they have made that step to national competition at an early stage of their life. They may not be fantastic players but they can have a career with water polo that can take them around the country and the world,” he said.

One of the biggest Olympic moments in Australian water polo history was when the Aussie Stingers won the gold medal. Fast forward 22 years, and most of the team are at the AYWPC as coaches or team managers.

McKinnon commented that it's one of the great things about water polo, you retain the great expertise and knowledge in the sport.

“Seeing the best players in the world and seeing players go through their career as players and then go on to have a career as a coach, that's amazing,” he said.

Coming up for McKinnon he’ll travel to Hungary to cover the FINA World Championships, where the Aussie Sharks and Stingers will play. And even after so many Olympic Games and World Championships, McKinnon said he couldn’t be happier to be back at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships.

“I go to an Olympics and come back and my wife said ‘why are you refereeing under 12s?’ Because I love it!

“It is great to see the enthusiasm and if I can help by coaching or refereeing those kids, it may help to keep them involved for a lifetime in the sport,” he said.