VALE - BILL McCABE

The water polo community is in mourning this week following the passing of Victorian and former national and Olympic team goalkeeper Bill McCabe, the last of our 1956 Olympians. Bill began playing water polo with the Melbourne Club about 1948 at a time when the Olympic Club were dominating the local competition in Victoria. He perfected the goalkeeping role with help from his club mate D. Webb, who was himself selected in the Victorian team on four occasions. From 1953 under captain Peter Bennett, Bill helped Melbourne become the dominant team in the Victorian competition as they annexed the 1st Grade premiership in a string of victories over the next seven years.

The three Victorian Olympic representatives from the Melbourne Club, for the 1956 Olympic Games (from left): Jim Farrell, Bill McCabe (g/k), 
Peter Bennett.

Bill first came to prominence on the representative scene when he was selected as goalkeeper for the 1952 Victorian Water Polo Team (runners-up). That year Bill would have tapped into the technique of Doug Laing (NSW), who toured with the Australian team to the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

But Bill more than justified his selection in the 1952 Victorian State team, as he was selected as the main Victorian goalkeeper on seven more occasions from 1953 to 1960, only missing 1957 as a break after the Melbourne games. His lightning fast reflexes and experience greatly contributed to Victoria winning the National Championships in 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1960.

AUSTRALIAN WATER POLO SQUAD - 1956 Olympic Games - Bill McCabe (middle row - 2nd from right)

At a time when the Australians only picked an international team once every four years, the highlight of Bill’s career was his selection in the Australian Water Polo team for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, where he proudly got to play in front of his home crowd. 

Water Polo Australia extends its sympathy to Bill’s family and friends at their loss, but is proud of his contribution to our great game.

Dr Tracy Rockwell (WPI Historian)