The Canterbury Water Polo Board has been an integral part of the region’s water polo community since the 1950s. Initially operating under the Canterbury Swimming Federation, the board became an independent entity in 1986 and was formally established as an Incorporated Society in 1990.

The board plays a significant role in the development and delivery of water polo training and competitions throughout Canterbury, serving all age groups from Primary School to Senior Men’s and Women’s levels.

Every stage of a player’s journey in water polo is crucial, as each phase builds the foundation for their future and the sport’s continued growth. Our goal is to provide players with positive, supportive, and fulfilling experiences through training, competitions, and domestic and international tours.

Recognizing the importance of nurturing young talent, Canterbury Water Polo has focused on creating strong roots at the junior level. Through the establishment of the Canterbury Aquatic Education Programme, alongside supporting the Flippa Ball and Junior Water Polo programmes developed by the NZWPA, we are committed to ensuring the future of the sport by fostering participation from the earliest stages.

CWP Board Members 

Cooper Stewart - Club Chairperson

Cooper moved to Canterbury in 2017 and has been deeply involved in the water polo community ever since. Over the years, he has contributed as a board member, coach, referee, player, and now serves as the Chair of Canterbury Water Polo. A multiple-time national champion as both a coach and player, Cooper also represented New Zealand at the junior level.

He is passionate about driving the growth of Canterbury Water Polo while honoring the club’s rich history, which dates back to the 1980s and includes multiple senior national titles. By building on this strong foundation, he hopes to continue the club’s legacy of success for future generations.

Outside of water polo, Cooper works as a Commercial Property Manager for NAI Harcourts, overseeing some of Christchurch’s largest commercial buildings.

Fraser Bickley - Deputy Chairperson

Fraser is the current Deputy Chairperson of Canterbury Water Polo, bringing a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach. Starting at the age of 15, he represented New Zealand in water polo, playing for the national team from junior to senior levels in multiple international competitions.

As a coach, Fraser led the New Zealand Women’s National Team through several World Championships, shaping the careers of many top female players. His coaching approach emphasizes skill development, team dynamics, and fostering a competitive spirit.

Fraser’s extensive background in the sport, both as a player and coach, gives him a unique perspective on the needs of athletes at all levels. As Deputy Chairperson, he is dedicated to fostering the growth of water polo in Canterbury and developing the next generation of talent.

Maree Crisp - Treasuer​​​​​​​

Maree has a diverse leadership background in healthcare, hospitality and emergency management. With 20 years experience running a profitable business in a foreign country, alongside several years working in the volunteer / not for profit sector, Maree brings a unique blend of skills and experience to her role as Treasurer. With an understanding of how heavily not for profit organisations rely on volunteers to function, Maree decided to do her part and joined the board with a desire to contribute to the success of the club and to broaden the participation at all levels.

Brittany Tucker - Secretary​​​​​​​

I am excited to be part of Canterbury Water Polo and committed to doing everything I can to support and grow our club. With children who play the sport, I want to see the club continue to thrive, not just for the players in the pool but for the coaches, families, and wider community that make it all possible.

With experience in event management, administration, and strategic planning, I help ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. As an Age Group Manager, I support our teams by managing logistics, organisation, and player needs to set them up for success. I’m also actively involved in planning and delivering club events, making sure they are well organised, engaging, and beneficial for everyone involved.

I recently joined the Canterbury Water Polo board to further my commitment to the club and help shape its future. My focus is on ensuring that our players, coaches, and families have the best possible experience both in and out of the pool. I’m excited to contribute to a strong, inclusive, and high performing water polo community.

Bevan Mark (Stretch) - Board Member

Kia ora! As a father of three daughters, my whānau has been deeply involved with water polo since 2017. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the sport in many ways, from taking on the role of maintenance man to driving the van at tournaments. In 2023, I also joined the Canterbury Water Polo board.

The main reason I decided to step into this role was to ensure that the voices of families like mine are heard and to help create a positive and supportive environment for all players, from beginners to elite athletes. I’m passionate about growing the sport in Canterbury and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy and thrive in water polo.

Jeanine Marriott - Board Member

Jeanine has had a 25 year career in elite athlete and student pastoral care, with 8 years at High Performance Sport New Zealand and now the University of Canterbury.  Jeanine represented NZ at the World Aquatic Games in synchronised swimming and went on to coach NZ representatives and the Thailand National team to the Asian Games.  Jeanine has children who play/ played waterpolo and is aware of the benefits the sport and community can bring to young people in and out of the pool. She hopes by being on the board she can support a high performing environment in all areas of the sport.

Lyndon Endicott-Davies - Board Member

Lyndon has been involved in the administration of sport for over 20 years, he was a NZ qualified netball umpire and also refereed touch rugby in the summer months, he has been on boards for both rugby and netball along with being a member of various officials committees for both sports, Lyndon currently has two children playing waterpolo.

Brent Richards - Board Member

Would You Like to Become a Board Member?

Are you passionate about water polo and want to help shape the future of the sport in Canterbury?

Joining the Canterbury Water Polo Board is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your skills, experience, and ideas to support the growth and success of our club.

As a board member, you’ll play a key role in:

  • Guiding the strategic direction of the club.
  • Supporting player development and competition pathways.
  • Strengthening community engagement and sponsorship opportunities.
  • Helping to grow and sustain our club for future generations.

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, whether you have experience in governance, sports administration, finance, marketing, or simply a love for the game, your contribution can make a difference.

If you’re interested in joining the board or want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you! 

Application Form