Water Polo Australia finalises Board structure following recent AGM

Water Polo Australia (WPA) is pleased to finalise the board structure and announce the re-election of Trent Birkett as President of WPA.

Following the WPA AGM on 21 November the new Board met for the first time to elect the role of President as well select the two appointed Director roles.

Trent has served on the WPA board since 2017 with more than 30 years experience in water polo. Since January 2020 he has led the Board as President, overseeing the new national strategic framework for the next decade of sport and which he will now work with WPA leadership team to implement.

The WPA is please to reappoint Susie Smith and welcomes Jodie Cross to the Board.

Susie has served on the WPA since 2018 and brings to the Board over 20 years of corporate experience including strategic planning and project development, risk management, public affairs, and sustainability. Combined with her water polo background including dual Australian representative 1989-90 and multiple South Australian and Australian Capital Territory representative both as a player and coach.

Jodie is a senior sporting executive with commercial, marketing, sports management background. She is currently Chief Commercial Officer for NSW Rugby League having previously held roles with National Rugby League in marketing and brand development, the Gold Coast Titans in community engagement.

The addition of Susie and Jodie the WPA Board completes the new make up of the Board from previously elected positions at the AGM.

WPA President Trent Birkett said he excited to welcome new members to the Board to complement the returning members.

“I would like to welcome Rick, Jodie, Don and Greg to the Board and welcome our returning Board members.

“In accordance with Sport Australia Governance principles, which form an important part of WPA’s assessment, we have a diverse Board that bring a mix of skills and experience that will help our sport meet our strategic priorities.

“Those Board identified specific skill sets we wanted to have as part of our Board to help achieve our new national strategic framework. We believe the Board we have assembled will help us achieve this,” he said

WPA Board

Trent Birkett, President (1 year term)

Jane Moran, Chair Athletes Commission

John Whitehouse (3 year term)

Kay Copeland (3 year term)

Don Cameron (2 year term)

Greg Turner (2 year term)

Rick Hooper (1 year term)

Susie Smith (2 year term)

Jodie Cross (1 year term)