JOHN WHITEHOUSE STEPS DOWN FROM WPA BOARD

At Water Polo Australia’s  Annual General Meeting on Saturday, John Whitehouse announced that he would be stepping down from the Water Polo Australia Board.

Whitehouse has been a Director of Water Polo Australia since 2020, but has been a lifelong servant of the sport having also served on the FINA Technical Committee for almost 20 years, from 1992 to 2018.

He was widely recognised as one of the best referees of his era, and awarded the honour of refereeing the gold medal game at the 1988 Olympics, 1991 World Championships and the bronze medal game at the 1992 Olympics.

After retiring as a successful athlete across water polo, swimming and surf life saving, Whitehouse has dedicated his life to advancing water polo across numerous roles, which saw him named in the Water Polo Australia Hall of Fame in 2009 and in 2020 awarded Life Membership of Water Polo Australia.

Whitehouse took up the role of Honorary Secretary of the FINA Technical Water Polo Committee in 1996, a role previously held by fellow Australian Peter Montgomery. This important position has been integral in the global development of water polo as well as securing Australia’s position and recognition on the international stage.

Although Whitehouse has stepped down from the WPA Board, he will continue to be involved as a member of the History and Tradition Committee, and with Water Polo Tasmania.