WINNING TEAM CONTINUES TO GROW WITH APPOINTMENT OF FORMER AUSSIE STINGERS CAPTAIN

The champions keep on coming at Water Polo Queensland as Australia’s most decorated Water Polo player, Mel Rippon, joins the team as the new Head of Participation and Pathways.

As the highest capped Australian Female Water Polo athlete, Rippon represented Australia for over a decade and captained the side during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The three-time Olympian, two-time Bronze Medallist, and five-time World Championships representative will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role.

Since retiring from the international game, Rippon has had a successful coaching career with the Brisbane Barracudas and has helped to grow participation working with Moreton Bay College in building their Water Polo program. Her first-hand knowledge of the pathways available to young players and coaches has, and will continue to provide invaluable insights for aspiring young Olympians.

“Even though I have retired from the international game, Water Polo is still an important part of my life and I’ve been lucky enough to coach some fantastic teams and support a new generation of players along their water polo journey. There is so much potential for the sport in Queensland and I can’t wait to start tapping into that potential and growing the sport into new communities across the state.” said Rippon

Rippon will join fellow Olympian, Bronwen Knox, as part of the newly created Participation & Pathways team. The team will work closely with schools and communities across the state that will help build awareness and grow participation in Water Polo. Rippon will also play an important role in the ongoing development of young athletes as they progress through the pathway.

WPQ Chief Executive Officer, Robert Donaghue, said: “We are delighted that someone of Mel’s calibre will be joining the Water Polo Queensland team and she will be an enormous asset as we embark on a new era for Water Polo in 2017. There is so much potential for the sport in Queensland and Melissa brings to the table vast experience that will help us encourage more youngsters to try Water Polo and increase awareness of the sport across the state.”

Rippon will take up her position in early January and is part of the recent expansion of the WPQ team that also includes Bronwen Knox as Development Officer for South-East Queensland, Isabella Andersson as the Competitions, Events & Club Services Coordinator, and Anica Bussell as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator.