Water Polo Australia is pleased to confirm the national U16 and U18 coaches for the 2026 World Championships campaigns in advance of the National State Championships commencing in Canberra, ACT at the end of this month.
Fabio Pavanello and Jemma Semmens will lead the U18 Girls, with John Fox taking the helm of the U18 Boys.
Harry Sanderson, Belinda Brooks and Mel Rippon will coach the U16 Girls, and Dean Semmens will lead the U16 Boys.
WPA General Manager – Performance Andrew Pratley said: “We’re excited to be able to confirm the appointments of these high quality coaches who will lead and help develop the sports next generation over the next 12 months.
“Each coach brings with them a wealth of knowledge and experience that the next generation of our water polo players will greatly benefit from, and we equally believe these roles will be of great benefit to the ongoing development of these coaches
“We are looking forward to seeing our pathways athletes in action at the National State Championships in a few weeks time,” he said.
Additional coaches to support the U18 Girls, U18 Boys and U16 Boys will be announced in due course.
NATIONAL AGE GROUP PROGRAM COACHES
16&U GIRLS
Harry Sanderson (NSW)
Belinda Brooks (WA)
Mel Rippon (QLD)
16&U BOYS
Dean Semmens (NSW)
18&U GIRLS
Fabio Pavanello (QLD)
Jemma Semmens (NSW)
18&U BOYS
John Fox (QLD)
Please also see the recently finalised and WPA Board approved WPA Selection Policy for U16 and U18 National Teams here
