VALE - LES KAY

The Water Polo Community is saddened for the loss of Water Polo coaching legend Les Kay.

Les was originally a New Zealander who joined the Bronte Water Polo Club in Sydney around 1970 after a short stint as R & R coach with Bronte Surf Club. 

Les's first major coaching opportunity came in 1973, when he was appointed from ‘left field’ as coach of the NSW Mens State Team, which went on to win the gold medal in Adelaide. From that initial victory, an ‘aura’ developed around Les that saw him continually appointed to the same or similar positions over the next 27 years, and that golden touch remained with him for the rest of his life. 

By the end of his coaching career Les Kay had accumulated more National Championship Medals than virtually anyone else before him. Les was responsible for 15 National Titles for New South Wales, with a further three silver and two bronze medals as coach of the NSW Mens and Junior Mens water polo teams, and also an additional five gold, one silver and one bronze as manager of those teams, spanning the years from 1973 to 2000.

One of Les’s highest accolades was in being appointed manager of the Australian Mens teams from 1981 to 1983 and again in 1985.

By the year 2000 and after almost 30 years of continuous coaching, many people would have pulled up ‘stumps’, but not Les. He continued imparting his successful style of coaching at School, Club, District and State level with both men and women, boys and girls until moving recently with his dear wife Tina to Tweed Heads. Along the way Les Kay imparted his knowledge and experience to thousands of keen water polo players, and developed hundreds of friends and colleagues. The enthusiasm and passion that Les had for our great game will be sorely missed.

The NSW and Australian Water Polo community extends their deepest sympathy to Tina, the extended family and close colleagues of Les.

Tracy Rockwell
WPA Hon. Historian