WPA Board announces new Referee Director

Water Polo Australia (WPA) is pleased to announce Phillip Bower has been appointed to the role of Referee Director for a two-year term that will commence on 1 October 2019.

As well as congratulating Phillip on his appointment, the WPA Board wishes to acknowledge outgoing Director Michael Hart and the contribution he made to the sport throughout his tenure.

Michael has been involved in all levels of water polo for more than 30 years. In 2018 he was appointed the inaugural Referee Director after serving as a member of the Australian Referee’s Commission (ARC) between 2010-2018. During this time Michael served as Chair of the ARC between 2013-2015 and 2017-2018. 

The WPA Board replaced the Australian Referee’s Commission in December 2018 with a view to providing better service to referees via a centralised role that is supported by the national office.

WPA President Thomas Whalan acknowledged Michael’s enormous contribution to refereeing over many years.

“Michael is a long-standing contributor to the sport and his service to referee development has paved the way for many who have aspired to become referees themselves,” Whalan said.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud and congratulate Michael on his many achievements as a referee and the support he has offered those on their referring journey. 

Among his career highlights, Michael held officiating roles at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as numerous Senior and Junior World Championships and World League tournaments. He is also a long-standing Australian Waterpolo League official - taking on the roles of referee and delegate since its inception.