Water Polo thriving in the ACT

In November last year, Water Polo Australia announced its new Kickstart Grant initiative, designed to provide funding to State Associations to support their local areas.

Water Polo ACT were able to use the Kickstart grant to employ the State’s first ever Executive Officer on a permanent part time basis.

Ryan McDermott, who previously held the position of Sport Development Manager in the ACT, was promoted to fill the new position, which combined his current responsibilities and higher Executive Officer duties.

Holding the role for close to 12 months now, McDermott has seen first hand the positive impact.

“Developing new programs to promote growth, developing relationships with stakeholders and supporting our Clubs as much as I possibly can are three of the biggest things I’ve been able to achieve in the role so far,” McDermott said.

“Everyone in the ACT are volunteers apart from myself, so my job is to try and make their jobs easier.

“My aim is to support the members as best I can, and encourage them so that we can maintain the momentum we’ve built in the ACT over the last couple of years,” he said.

In the last 12 months, water polo has grown exceptionally in the ACT, with team numbers increasing in competitions across both junior and senior programs.

“It’s been great to get stuck into what’s been a pretty busy year, but it’s been a super rewarding year at the same time,” McDermott said.

“We’ve seen a fair jump in membership in the juniors ranks, but we’ve also seen growth in seniors as well. For example, our women’s competition went from three teams to five teams in one year!

“Traditionally we’ve also only had one women’s division, but we’ve just opened it up to a first grade and second grade competition and we’ve picked up an additional four teams in second grade straight off the bat.

“The growth in the women’s side of things over the last 12 months has been incredible, and we’re really happy with how things are progressing,” he said.

Water Polo ACT have also utilised McDermott’s expertise and now available time to put an Operational Plan in place.

“Getting our Operational Plan up and running has been so great for the sport here in the ACT,’ McDermott said.

“It will take the sport in the direction that we want it to go, and it’s also aligned with Water Polo Australia’s Strategic Framework.

“It’s been a great opportunity for us to assess where we’re at, and where we want to be.

“The growth we’ve seen is something that we want to continue to build on, but we also believe that increasing the capacity to grow is really important.

“It’s all about developing our coaches and referees, and making sure that we have a workforce that’s going to grow with us.

“Now with Water Polo Australia’s new Learning and Development Framework, and the increase in accessibility to educational opportunities - it’s only going to help us drive that.

“I think through the new learning opportunities, we’re going to see some fantastic results here in the ACT, but also hopefully in the other States as well,” he said.

McDermott also acknowledged Water Polo ACT Board and Water Polo Australia staff, for the support he has received in the role so far.

“Our Board has done a fantastic job of supporting me in my role, I’m enjoying it immensely and looking forward to putting some other plans in place and seeing them come to fruition,” McDermott said.

“Thanks also to the staff at Water Polo Australia for their constant support, not just financially but also getting to know the staff over the last nine months - their support is tremendous and we really appreciate all they do for us,” he said.