WPV Celebrates our Volunteers - VOTY Awards

For the 2024 calendar year, Water Polo Victoria have introduced a very special award to recognise all those special people in our community that go above and beyond for their club and our sport.

The Water Polo Victoria Volunteer of the Year Awards have been established to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing contributions our volunteers make to the sport of Water Polo in Victoria. Without our volunteers, we would not be able to run our great sport as effectively and we want to formally thank them through the establishment of this award.

All our clubs have been encouraged to nominate a volunteer in two categories, Volunteer of the Year: Senior Program and Volunteer of the Year: Junior Program. All nominees were acknowledged at the WPV AGM and received a certificate for their nomination, with the VOTY winners being presented their awards on Grand Final Day. Winners of the award will be acknowledged on a perpetual trophy and also be given individual awards to take home.

All nomination details were presented anonymously to members of the WPV Board and Staff for deliberation and review.

Volunteer of the Year 2024 - Award Winners

VOTY Senior Program: Lisa Murray-Segal (Essendon)

Lisa has been an integral part of the Essendon Water Polo club for over three decades, and has stepped up in a variety of roles to ensure the smooth running of the club.

Lisa provides a crucial link between the club and the payers/parents, dedicating her time to fantastic club engagement and making sure everyone feels welcome and connected. Lisa spends many hours on a weekly basis ensuring communication flows out to the club community, this is through the club newsletter, club socials, emails and other avenues.

Lisa can't be replaced and is so valued at Essendon, and within the wider sport of Water Polo. Congratulations Lisa on being awarded the Volunteer of the Year: Senior Program award.

VOTY Junior Program: Simon Magasanik (Melbourne Collegians)

Simon always conducts himself with integrity and is well-respected by families, players and the Melbourne Collegians committee. Simon has provided several years of junior and senior coaching to very high standards, which has led to success both in and out of the pool.

Simon has invested into the MC playing community for many years and has been instrumental in developing a mentoring relationship between the senior and junior players at the club. Simon invests many hours of volunteer time to our players and our club in general and is an integral part of the success of our club.

Congratulations to Simon for winning the Volunteer of the Year: Junior Program award.

Volunteer of the Year 2024 - Award Nominees

Junior Program

Kate Simnett - Essendon

Karly Flahive - Footscray

Deb Johnson - Geelong Marlins

Simon Magasanik - Melbourne Collegians

Stacey Steele - Richmond

Senior Program

DVE Aquatic - Jamie Osland

Essendon - Lisa Murray-Segal

Footscray - Alby Morrison