As the 2026/27 water polo season begins, Water Polo WA (WPWA) Board and Management wishes to provide updates to its member’s in relation to the Whole of Report Review that was conducted earlier in 2026, following funding secured from the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism & Sport.

Following the engagement of Consultants, Sports Advisory Partners Australia (SAPA), to undertake a Whole of Sport review, a final report was provided to the WPWA Board. The Review identified 12 recommendations aimed at strengthening six (6) areas including governance, participation and competitions, pathways, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement and culture across the sport. The report summary can be found here.

The Review was supported by a Working Committee which was established to provide community feedback and input throughout the stakeholder process and included Dominique Mecoy OAM (Committee Chair), Justin McMillan (WPWA Chair), Rob Kennedy, Matt Leonard, Frank di Costa, Andrei Kovalenko and Natalie Butler (WPWA CEO).

At its meeting on 3 August 2026, the WPWA Board formally endorsed all recommendations contained within the Review.  The Board believes the Review provides an important opportunity to strengthen water polo in Western Australia and establish a more aligned, sustainable and connected future for our sport. The purpose of this update is to outline the next stage of the process, including development of WPWA’s 2027-2030 Strategic Plan, actions already underway and how clubs can continue to contribute to the future direction of water polo in Western Australia.

To date, recommendations presented by SAPA have already seen the following commence:

1. Governance Review with Diane Smith-Gander has been engaged to undertake an independent and robust governance review of WPWA
2. Engagement of SAPA to support the implementation of recommendation 2 (Connected Club & Participation Pathway Model) & recommendation 3 (Competition & Pathway Framework) of the Report.

• • Consideration was made to engage SAPA across all recommendations did not represent the most effective use of WPWA’s available resources, whilst noting the significance and complexity of Recommendations 2 & 3 and ensuring that they are developed in a structured and well informed manner.

1. Review and refinement of WPWA’s organisational structure to improve role clarity & accountability
2. Recruitment of additional staff to strengthen organisational capacity
3. Establishment of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.

• • The role of this Committee is to oversee the governance of the Strategic planning process and comprises of Sue Thompson (Dept. Creative Industries, Tourism & Sport), Dominique Mecoy OAM (Good Human Connections), Gemma Tually (WPWA Board Member), Tim Welsford (Water Polo Australia), Justin McMillan (WPWA Chair), Natalie Butler (WPWA CEO).This Committee will assist in ensuring the strategic planning process is robust, transparent and appropriately consultative.  The Committee’s role is one of governance and oversight. It is responsible for ensuring the strategic planning process is appropriately structured, consultative and aligned with the recommendations of the Review.  The Steering Committee is not a decision-making body and will not determine outcomes, develop recommendations or implement initiatives. Responsibility for those matters remains with WPWA management and the Board.

1. Development of revised Board Committee structures and Terms of References
2. Enhanced stakeholder communications including regular updates

The WPWA Board and Management recognises that many members, clubs and stakeholders are passionate about the future of our sport and wish to contribute to the next stage of the process. WPWA will continue to engage members via appropriate channels to support the development of a new three-year strategic plan and to ensure water polo across the State thrives and capitalises on the opportunities that lay ahead.