Club History

Based in Hobart and founded in 1959, the Sandy Bay Water Polo Club participates in Tasmanian water polo competitions for males and females of all age groups.

Philip Bird and a group of young enthusiasts established the club as an offshoot of the Sandy Bay Swimming Club in 1959 when water polo competitions were first held in Tasmania. They experienced early success throughout the sixties winning four premierships and playing in 10 consecutive grand finals. A significant decline in membership during the 1970s resulted in no teams representing the club after 1980. In 1991 Bill and Wes Roach, along with a group of junior players from the local area, made a successful effort to reestablish water polo in Sandy Bay.

The Club has grown to the extent that it now fields teams in all age groups ranging from 12&U up to senior teams. There's a strong membership base, being one of the largest in the state, and it continues to provide a high level of coaching across all age groups which has seen the Club with continued success.

The Club's focus is to teach people how to play, hoping to pass on the love of the sport that the coaches hold and to provide a strong and welcoming team environment that gives everyone a place where they feel safe, can be themselves and grow as young people.

If you'd like to read more about the club's rich history click here to visit our old website.

Photo on the left:
Sandy Bay Men Tasmanian Water Polo Champions 1959-60
(l – r) Philip Bird, Dennis Robertson, Rick Southee, Ferdie Kroon, Fred Eiszele, John Brown, Robert Wilkinson.

Photo on the the right:
Sandy Bay Men Tasmanian Water Polo Champions 1960-61
(back row) Robert Wilkinson, Peter Wilson, Philip Bird, Dennis Robertson, Ian Martin (Goalie)
(front row) Bruce Wilkinson, Ferdie Kroon, John Brown, B. Dunkin, Ron Nute (Coach).