Annual Report 2010/11 - Australian Water Polo Inc

Chief Executive Officer’s Report
After a full 12 months in the
position of CEO it is important
that I acknowledge our
stakeholders and partners,
partnerships need to be a
symbiotic relationship where
both parties achieve their
objectives.
Without doubt, without the invaluable
financial and intellectual support of
the Australian Sports Commission
(ASC) our sport would not enjoy the
international success that it achieves.
Important funding has been received
from the ASC to maintain our programs
in our core business of high performance
and additional funding received to
aid and assist in the development of
participation programs.
We enjoy a close and productive
relationship with our State Institutes
of Sport and the State Academies that
provide our athletes with their daily
training.
In a recent high performance review it
was not a surprise to see that athletes
spend more time with their Institute
coaches than either with their Club
coaches or National coach.
Last year I spoke of the importance of
providing to our athletes an enduring
pathway, given that our Mission
Statement is that “We will be recognised
and accepted as a successful major
sporting organisation both in Australia
and internationally, through its
astute and planned management, the
performance of international teams and
the delivery of water polo at all levels.”
I have set about with some
rationalisation, which has included
moving the finances to Sydney where
we can utilise the existing first-rate
infrastructure provided by the New
South WaIes Institute of Sport.
My sincere thanks go to Peter Jackson for
his invaluable assistance and guidance
throughout this transition.
The external review of our infrastructure
was completed and delivered to the
board. The changes were approved and
either have already been made or are in
the process of implementation.
The National Water Polo League also
had a comprehensive separate external
review and our thanks go to Jackie
Fairweather senior sports consultant
from the ASC who not only facilitated
this, but travelled over Australia to obtain
feedback from all interested parties.
We look forward to the release of the
finalised document and the National
League being integral in our domestic
high performance plans.
I would like to thank the President,
Mr. Peter Kerr and the Board of
Australian Water Polo for their ongoing
support, hard work and enthusiasm.
Chris Harrison
Chief Executive Officer
8 | Australian Water Polo 2010/11 Annual Report