WATER POLO QUEENSLAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER STEPS DOWN

Water Polo Queensland CEO, Robert Donaghue, has stood down with immediate effect to take up a new opportunity with one of Queensland’s professional sporting clubs. He will remain engaged in a consulting capacity whilst the search for a replacement begins. WPQ President, Sharyn Tucker will step in as interim-CEO.

Donaghue commenced in the role in September 2016 following a governance review undertaken by the WPQ Board earlier that year. Following his appointment, a three-year strategy was implemented and, as reported at the recent Annual General Meeting, over 95% of the priorities identified in the plan have now been delivered.

“It was a difficult decision to step down from a role that I have been privileged to have had and thoroughly enjoyed over the last two years,” Robert Donaghue commented about the announcement. “Although in sport the work is never completed, I believe the time is right for myself and the organisation and I look forward to seeing the sport continue to prosper under new leadership”.

During his two years as CEO, WPQ has achieved significant milestones, with highlights including consecutive years of participation growth (2016/17 – 27%; 2018/19 – 7.5%), increased regional participation and awareness, host of the FINA Men's World League Intercontinental Cup on the Gold Coast and the Australian Youth Water Polo Championship with the support of Tourism Events Queensland & Brisbane Marketing, and the introduction of Team Queensland that competed successfully at the Sydney Youth Festival (2017) and Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival (2018).

“I would like to thank the WPQ Board, Staff and the Water Polo community for their support and the opportunity to lead the sport through a period of reform and rejuvenation. Water polo in Queensland will need to continue to meet the challenges ahead and unite behind a collective desire to see the sport continue to flourish where everyone who participates, whatever their role, feels great satisfaction about what they achieve from their contribution or involvement” Donaghue said.

WPQ President Sharyn Tucker said: “I’d like to thank Rob for his significant contribution over the past two years. His prior experience in sport allowed him to come to us with a fresh perspective, which has greatly assisted Water Polo not only in Queensland but also nationally.”