Canterbury Water Polo

Csaba Rull is a highly experienced water polo and swimming coach with a career spanning over two decades. Originally from Eger, Hungary, he grew up immersed in the sport, learning from his father, a renowned player and coach. His expertise extends across technical swimming instruction, water polo skill development, and coaching consultancy, having worked in Hungary, Japan, and beyond.

Passionate about nurturing talent, Csaba is dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential, with a particular focus on developing gifted players and improving overall team performance. Hardworking and committed, he continually seeks new methods and strategies to refine his coaching and inspire the next generation of athletes.

Alix brings her expertise in accounts, administration, and office management to her role at Canterbury Water Polo, ensuring the club operates smoothly behind the scenes. Her strong financial acumen supports budgeting and financial tracking, while her organisational skills streamline administrative processes, membership management, and event coordination. A dedicated professional, Alix is also a busy mum to a lively 2.5 year old boy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and getting outdoors whenever possible.

With over two decades of dedication to water polo, Casie Bowry brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as Competitions Manager. She ensures every game, tournament, and championship runs smoothly, creating a fair and enjoyable experience for players, teams, and officials alike.

Casie’s water polo journey began at the QEII Crushers Water Polo Club in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she honed her skills over 12 years of club play in Canterbury. Following the Christchurch Earthquake, she expanded her experience with the Harbour City Hawks and Hutt Water Polo Club in Wellington before heading to Australia, and discovered a passion for coaching.

A former New Zealand representative, Casie played on the national stage for nine years, earning over 50 test caps. Learning from elite coaches, she developed lifelong skills that now shape her coaching philosophy. Her coaching career began at St Margaret’s College, where she led both junior and senior teams, before founding Marlins Water Polo Academy in 2017, an initiative dedicated to developing young athletes in a supportive yet competitive environment. She has also contributed to the Canterbury Water Polo Coaching program, fostering a winning mentality and strong team culture.

Beyond water polo, Casie served as a constable in the New Zealand Police Force, embodying discipline, leadership, and resilience. Despite facing health challenges in 2018, her passion for coaching remained, driving her to continue developing the next generation of water polo athletes.

Now, as Competitions Manager, Casie applies her extensive playing and coaching background to ensure seamless competition management. From scheduling fixtures to enforcing regulations, her expertise and dedication make her an invaluable asset to the sport.

Got a question about competitions? Casie’s got you covered!

Laura has been an integral part of the Canterbury Water Polo coaching team since 2015, bringing passion and dedication to every level of the sport. Over the years, she has taken on a variety of roles, from assistant and head coach for age group teams to managing squads and leading key development programs, including Mini Polo, Year 7&8, and secondary school programs. She also plays a vital role as an age group manager, ensuring teams are well-supported, and oversees Canterbury Water Polo’s social channels, keeping the community engaged and informed.

Her coaching journey has been shaped by the opportunity to learn from and support incredible mentors, attend tournaments, and further her expertise through initiatives like the Sport NZ Impact Coaching course. For Laura, the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing young players discover their passion for water polo and watching them grow as athletes and individuals through each age group.

Outside of the pool, Laura brings the same energy and enthusiasm to her career as a preschool teacher, a role she absolutely loves. Her ability to connect with young people, foster their growth, and create a positive learning environment makes her a valued leader both in the water polo community and beyond.

STAFF