NEW MANAGER FOR AYWPC

On the back of announcing the new Australian Youth Water Polo Championship (AYWPC) which will launch in 2019, Water Polo Australia is pleased to announce Eelco Uri as the new National Competition Manager of the AYWPC.

The role will be dedicated to delivering the AYWPC in Brisbane in 2019 and 2020, working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the event is delivered to the highest standard from it’s launch next year.

A dual Olympian and former water polo coach, Uri has spent the past 10 years working for Water Polo New Zealand where he worked across numerous areas of the sport from development, high performance as well as event management.

Uri was responsible for the event delivery of the successful Pan Pacific Youth Festivals, FINA Youth Women World Championships, multiple age group national championships as well as the NZ national league.

Water Polo Australia CEO Christian Renford said Eelco’s credentials as a seasoned Competition Manager combined with his passion and knowledge for water polo, made him an ideal appointment for the role.

“On behalf of Water Polo Australia, I am very pleased to welcome Eelco Uri to this new role as National Competition Manager of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships,” said Renford.

“His strong understanding of the sport along with his first hand experience in delivering junior and senior water polo competitions, makes him an asset to our Competitions’ department.

“The Australian Youth Water Polo Championships is a unique opportunity for the sport, bringing together our six established national aged Championships. It will be a huge undertaking and we are pleased to have Eelco’s experience to help deliver the event in Brisbane in 2019 and 2020,” he said.

Uri said he is excited to be joining the Water Polo Australia team at this exciting time to deliver the newest event on the calendar.

“For me the future of water polo in Australia is really important and this event I believe will make a huge difference for the players and their careers, not just in water polo but also in the opportunities we can offer juniors,” said Uri.

“Clearly there is an event that needs to be delivered but there are also other opportunities to offer to the broader water polo community and we are already looking at some innovative adds on we can build into the Championships.

“But most of all it’s a water polo spectacle, it’s a national Championships at its core, but we’d like it to be much more than that.

“Our sport is one big family and the atmosphere it will create by bringing everyone together, as it’s been said, is an absolute game changer.

“Water polo is a summer sport and we’re going to be in Brisbane for summer. It’s got to be one of the best cities in the world to play water polo in, so we’re very fortunate that Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council have come on board. I’ve had a chance to look at some of the facilities already and I’ve been very impressed,” he said.

For more details on the Australian Youth Water Polo Festival – click here.

To get in touch with Eelco you can reach him on events@waterpoloaustralia.com.au.