Rossie Soanes

President

Rossie leads the club’s administration, acts as Phantoms’ authorised point of contact with Water Polo WA, supports committee members in their roles and projects, and is helping progress the club’s website update.

She joined Phantoms in 1995 after returning from working interstate, looking to improve her fitness and broaden her friendship group. Having previously served as a general committee member, Rossie finds the role of President challenging but rewarding.

Away from Phantoms, she is still likely to be in the water—training for water polo or surfing.

Ty Kowalski

Phantoms Vice President & White Pointers President

Ty began playing water polo in 2018. He joined the White Pointers as an alternative to competitive swimming and to build a stronger connection with Perth’s queer community.

Through the close relationship between the sister clubs, Ty has played alongside wonderfully inclusive teammates at Phantoms and helped promote inclusivity and fun across both clubs. Fitness, Fun and Friendship—the values Phantoms stands for—remain a continued source of joy for him.

Water polo takes up a big part of Ty’s week. Away from playing and training, he enjoys the gym, catching up with friends and spending time at the beach when it is warm.

Mia Buswell

Secretary

Bio coming soon.

Michelle Yates

Treasurer

Photo and bio coming soon.

Donna Barwood

Governance, Pool Bookings & Member Protection Information Officer

Donna has a strong history of volunteering and giving back to sport through board and committee positions. She received a Water Polo Australia scholarship to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and is now putting that experience to good use with Phantoms.

Donna first joined Phantoms in the late 1980s before taking time away to raise her family. A former competitive swimmer, she has always had a strong connection to the water and has found a wonderful sporting community through water polo.

Emma Sealey

Merchandise & Uniforms Coordinator

Emma is in her second year as the club’s Merchandise and Uniforms Coordinator. She has played on and off for Phantoms since 2003, with a couple of breaks while living in the USA. Originally from Victoria, she grew up swimming competitively and eventually “retired” to water polo at about 22.

Emma joined after meeting Rossie at a Masters swim training session and quickly remembered that water polo was far more interesting than chasing the black line. Away from the pool, she loves to travel and works in clinical research.

Tony “Clarry” Zeiser

Equipment Manager

Bio coming soon.

Marcel Bennington

Junior Engagement & Archiving

Marcel reviews historical data on junior participation and develops strategies to attract and retain new junior players. He also assists with club archiving.

In 2021, while throwing a kid's ball to his daughter in the toddlers’ pool, Marcel decided he might be exceptionally good at water polo. Although he soon revised that assessment, Phantoms proved very welcoming and he has been having fun ever since.

When he is not in the pool, Marcel can be found at the beach, on the tennis court or on the golf course.

Declan Brown

General Committee Member

Photo and bio coming soon.

Barry Gibb

Senior Coach Coordinator

Barry has played for Phantoms for 11 years. He joined after spending time poolside watching his children train and play, and values water polo as a fun way to keep fit.

Away from the pool, Barry works as a flooring and synthetic-turf supplier.

Ben McSweeney

General Committee Member

Ben is excited to join the Phantoms committee for the first time as a General Committee Member. He looks forward to supporting the committee and contributing to projects that strengthen and grow the club.

He has been a member of Phantoms for around 20 years, joining after the club he played for as a teenager closed. He loved water polo from the moment he started and was determined to continue. Phantoms welcomed him with open arms, and he has built lasting friendships with many past and present players.

For Ben, Phantoms is more than a sporting club. It challenges members to improve physically, offers a great way to stay fit, and provides a strong social community where people can connect and have fun.

Outside the pool, Ben is usually at the beach swimming, surfing or spending time with his dog, who loves the beach just as much as he does.

Ruby Soanes

Social Media

Ruby is a general committee member responsible for social media. She has played for Phantoms since 2010, after her mother enrolled her as a child.

When she is not playing or training, Ruby is usually working, at the beach, enjoying good food or, in her own words, “being cool.”

Rachel Tierney

General Committee Member

Bio coming soon.