Water Polo Australia finalises Board structure following recent AGM

Water Polo Australia (WPA) is pleased to announce the re-election of Trent Birkett as President following the first meeting of the new Board.

Following the AGM on 20 November, that saw Trent re-elected to the WPA Board for a three year term and welcomed new Board member Alexander Alderson, the new Board met for the first time to also re-appoint Jodie Cross for two years, Allira Hudson-Gofers appointed to the Casual Vacancy.

Trent has served on the WPA Board since 2017 and as President since 2020, bringing to the role more than 30 years experience in water polo.

As the newly reappointed WPA President, Trent said he was excited to finalise the board structure, and welcomed the new board members.

“I would like to thank the members for their endorsement by re-electing me to the WPA Board for another three years,” Birkett said.

“It is a great privilege and a welcome validation from my fellow Directors, and I am thrilled to be able to continue to give back to the sport which I have been involved with for over 30 years.

“On behalf of the water polo community I would like to thank the retiring Directors Rick Hooper, Jane Waldburger and Greg Turner, all who have made an enormous contribution to water polo and most recently as a WPA Director.

“Tragically we recently lost Greg Turner, he will be sadly missed and on behalf of the Board I’d like to extend our thoughts to the Turner family,” he said.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, Birkett said the Board is excited to welcome back some form of normality.

“After 18 months of disruption, an immediate priority for the Board is the successful relaunch of the national events and age group programs, starting with the 2022 Summer Slam in January.

“Another focus is to build capability and capacity to deliver significant growth to our sport. The implementation of the new Learning and Development Framework and ClubPool will assist in realising this strategic priority,” he said.

A new Athletes’ Commission Chair will be appointed in the coming months.

WPA Board

Trent Birkett

Allira Hudson-Gofers

Alex Alderson

Don Cameron

Jodie Cross

John Whitehouse

Kay Copeland

Susie Smith