The ACT Representative program stands as the pinnacle of water polo excellence in the ACT. Boasting a history that spans from participation in the National Water Polo League to the junior representative squads we see today. The Canberra Dolphins have been instrumental in fostering numerous athletes who have gone on to represent Australia.
WPACT Representative Program
The Canberra Dolphins name has a proud history in the ACT, with it not only being the name of one of the territory's earliest clubs, but also as the National League team name which participated in the National Water Polo League between 1991 and 2006.
Water Polo ACT's representative teams have a long history of success, including taking out numerous Australian Country Championship crowns. Furthermore, our junior teams compete at Water Polo Australia's National State Championships annually.
In recent times, WPACT has been encouraging it’s member clubs to enter a number of interstate tournaments to create a broader pathway to our growing membership base. This has seen a record number of players exposed to state and national level events.
ACT DOLPHINS TEAMS & COACHES
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15&U BOYS
HEAD COACH: MATTIA BOGNOLO
ASSISTANT COACH: BEN JORRITSMA
ASSISTANT COACH: LINCOLN NICHOLSON
MANAGER: TBC
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15&U GIRLS
HEAD COACH: SHARYN ARNOLD
ASSISTANT COACH: JADE ARNOLD
ASSISTANT COACH: LUKE FREESTONE
MANAGER: TBC
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17&U BOYS
HEAD COACH: NICK TAYLOR
ASSISTANT COACH: TOBY PARR
MANAGER: PENNY IORI
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17&U GIRLS
COACH: EILIS ROGIS
COACH: CHARLI COOK
MANAGER: NAOMI OWEN PENFOLD
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SENIOR MEN
HEAD COACH: JUSTIN TRABINGER
MANAGER: BRADY NIXON
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SENIOR WOMEN
HEAD COACH: MARK NICHOLSON
ASSISTANT COACH: KAITLIN DAVIES
MANAGER: SARAH PURCELL
Documents & Handbooks
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The Water Polo ACT Representative Program Framework provides information and support to both current and aspiring Athletes and Coaches affiliated with Water Polo ACT (WPACT), the governing body for Water Polo in the ACT. Its main aims are to:
Outline the representative programs objectives, ensuring it aligns with the National Performance Framework
Player Identification, support, grading, and development pathways within ACT
Summarise the program focuses and purpose
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The Water Polo ACT Selection Policy aims to provide transparency and consistency to the Representative Program selection process.
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All coaches and managers are legally required to hold a current Working With Vulnerable People Card. As a volunteer, it is free to apply for the Card. Failure to apply for or hold a WWVP Card will result in immediate dismissal from the team.
Individuals can apply for a WWVP Card via Access Canberra.
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Upon selection in a Canberra Dolphins squad or team, all players are required to sign and acknowledge the Player Code of Conduct. Parents of players aged 17 & under are required to co-sign the Code of Conduct with their child.
Coaches and managers are also required to sign the Coach & Manager Code of Conduct upon their appointment to the role.
The Codes of Conduct serve to support Water Polo ACT's values and commitments as players, officials, volunteers and spectators, and outline the expected behaviour of our players, coaches and managers when representing Water Polo ACT.
The Codes of Conduct are available for download in the Policies and Procedures section of the website.
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The Water Polo ACT Travel Policy is designed to provide members with our position on travel and accommodation arrangements for travelling junior teams.
The policy has been developed to assist in planning, and to reduce the financial impact of tours on parents.
Representative Player of the Year
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15&U Girls
2025/26 - Emily Males
2024/25 - Elisabeth Palmer
2023/24 - Cecilia Jacobson
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15&U Boys
2025/26 - Daniel Heathcote
2024/25 - Daniel Heathcote
2023/24 - Lachlan Newman
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17&U Girls
2025/26 - Alisa Collett
2024/25 - Ella Creighton
2023/24 - Jade Arnold
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17&U Boys
2025/26 - Byron MacDonald
2024/25 - Ayrton Rogis
2023/24 - Hamish Ellison
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Senior Women
2025/26 - Avary Mohrman
2024/25 - Eilis Rogis
2023/24 - Sarah Purcell
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Senior Men
2025/26 - Lachlan Winterton
2024/25 - Matt Wilson
2023/24 - Campbell Ellison
FAQs
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Water Polo ACT recognises and encourages ACT-based players to develop their skills through pathways to interstate clubs.
This can be done by registering as a second-claim player to the interstate club. This allows for the player to continue to participate within Water Polo ACT sanctioned representative programs and be selected for WPACT teams.
If a player chooses to register as a primary member of an interstate club, they will lose representative program privileges under both Water Polo ACT and Water Polo Australia policies and procedures.
More Information can be found in the following policies:
WPACT Membership and Financial Policy
WPACT Selection Policy
WPACT Representative Framework
WPA Tournament Eligibility Regulations
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Yes. Current Water Polo Australia eligibility rules allow players to play for their primary club or state, even if they live outside that region. Players must be primary registered in the ACT to participate in the ACT representative program.
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The head coach of the program will make the final call on players participating that are too young to tour or haven't been selected for a touring team.
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All Water Polo ACT teams will stay together on tour. Water Polo ACT will coordinate accommodation for all teams and invoice families for these costs.
Team travel is optional with families having the option to book their own or travel as a part of the team. Water Polo ACT will set a deadline for each tour to OPT-OUT of team travel.
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