Get to know our Coaches
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Founder of the Canberra Water Polo AcademySquad Leader (CISAC, Mondays)
“Having coached and played in Canberra for over 20 years, I've seen players try the sport for the very first time with Junior Dolphins, to then go on to local, national and international representative water polo. Success for me, is when local athletes succeed in pursuing water polo to the highest level. We now have athletes playing in the Australian Water Polo League, the American NCAA conference and European Leagues.”
Club: Nordek Water Polo Club
Occupation: Founder of the Canberra Water Polo Academy and Sport Policy, Australian Sports Commission
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Head Coach
“When coaching I love analysing what to work on next with players and teams, and then seeing the athletes master what we set out to achieve.
There is also such a strong sense of community in water polo, all of my closest friends have come from the Water Polo family. Its a great environment to be around and has taken me some amazing places.”
Club: Woden Waves
Occupation: CEO, Water Polo ACT
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Squad Leader (CISAC, Wednesdays)“I love the competitive nature of the sport, and also that it feels so different, yet oddly similar to so many other sports. Being a niche sport, it’s also allowed me to travel all over Australia playing for ACT teams, as well as for my local club.”
Club: Nordek Water Polo Club
Occupation: Designer & Director of Tirs Studio
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Squad Leader (ANU Owls, Saturdays)
“My water polo journey began in Tasmania when I was in Year 5. 10 years on and I am more involved than ever!”
Club: ANU Owls
University Course: Bachelor of International Relations / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
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“My favourite part of water polo is all the amazing people I have had the opportunity to meet. I also love that the sport is a unique combination of physical and mental strength, which allows me to keep pushing myself to get better.”
Club: Nordek Water Polo
Occupation: Project Manager
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Club: Nordek Water Polo ClubOccupation: High School Student
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“I love that water polo is a great social community to be a part of that also has a competitive side that will continually challenge you!”
Club: ANU Owls
University Course: Bachelor Engineering/Bachelor Science
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“I really enjoy teaching younger kids things about water polo that I love. Spreading knowledge and enjoyment of a sport is very rewarding and also lots of fun. My favourite part of water polo is how challenging and intense it is. Water polo is also super social, and really great for fitness.”
Club: Nordek Water Polo Club
Occupation: High School Student / Swim Instructor
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Club: Canberra Grammar School
Occupation: High School Student
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Club: Canberra Grammar School
Occupation: High School Student
History
In the beginning
The Canberra Water Polo Academy (CWPA) was established in 2007 with an aim to increase the participation and the level of water polo in Canberra and the surrounding regions. CWPA created the Talent Development Squad (TDS) which aimed to provide a high quality training environment for athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 years. In 2007, we hosted the inaugural Canberra Cup to raise funds to buy equipment for the TDS program.
Now
We now primarily focus on U14’s introductory programs through the Junior Dolphins program, school competitions and major water polo events like the Canberra Cup and Waterpolooza. Our focus is to expose more Canberrans to the sport and to provide pathways into the local club and school competitions.
Where we are going
The CWPA is looking to build on our existing products to ensure everyone in Canberra has access to the sport of water polo in their local community. We aim to do this through establishing partnerships and developing programs to activate new demographics of participants.
We will continue to innovate our offerings to ensure the sport stays relevant and we are always providing quality experiences.
Matt Turnbull
Founder of the Canberra Water Polo Academy