Annual Report 2010/11 - Australian Water Polo Inc

Athletes’ Commission Report
The Athletes Commission over
the past 12 months has provided
an active voice of the athletes in
our sport to the AWPI Board and
its executive staff.
The current Athletes Commission was
formed after the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Games. The commission comprises Nikita
Cuffe (2004 & 2008 Olympian), Bronwyn
Knox (2008 Olympian), Toby Jenkins
(2004 Olympian), Thomas Whalan
(2000, 2004 & 2008 Olympian) and Trent
Franklin (2004 & 2008 Olympian).
The commissioner’s roles as outlined in
the charter are to:
• Advise the board of AWPI on any
matters relating to water polo which
impact on Water Polo Athletes;
• Represent the Athletes on AWPI’s board
through the Athletes Commission
Chairman who is a voting member of
the board;
• Nominate representatives from among
their members to represent Australian
Water Polo Athletes on AWPI as
requested from time to time;
• Nominate athletes for election by
ballot to the Australian Olympic
Committee Athletes’ Commission;
• Provide leadership and direction on
matters that directly relate to Water
Polo Athletes.
In the last year we have worked through
a consultative process to review and
where relevant provide recommendation
to the board. The following are some of
the issues represented.
National Water Polo League
(NWPL) – Review
Through the National Water Polo
League Review the members of the
Athletes Commission provided their
insight into the existing structure of
the league and many proposed some
potential improvements. We feel it is
such a critical component of the elite
pathway for our athletes. The continual
improvement of the elite pathway is very
important for the success of our athletes
on the world stage.
We would like to thank all stakeholders
for their contribution to this also. There
is much focus on the athletes which is
important for the sport. It is however
important to thank the clubs, states and
community that allow us to perform at
our best.
We would like to thank the Australian
Water Polo Inc. Board and its CEO
for engaging the review and we look
forward to the future of the peak
competition in Australia.
Elite Athlete Pathway
We have recently seen changes to the Elite
Athlete Pathway, through the changes
of the U18 competition. The Athletes
Commission after some robust discussion
provided its feedback to the CEO relating
to views of the athletes. The ability to
have this feedback sought from the CEO
and the Board is a great asset to both the
athletes and the sport as a whole.
The Athletes’ Commission would like to
encourage any athletes who have any
issues, concerns or ideas they may have
relating to the sport. We look forward to
working with Australian Water Polo and
its athletes to further develop our sport
on a domestic and international stage
over the coming year.
Trent Franklin
Chairman
Australian Water Polo Athletes’ Commission
Photo Credit: Anthony Pearse, Pearse Photography
26 | Australian Water Polo 2010/11 Annual Report