Life Members

Sandy Bay Water Polo Club is honoured to have the following Life Members:

William (Bill) Roach - appointed 13 June 2024

Bill Roach played for St Virgils in the inaugural competition in 1959. Bill resurrected the Sandy Bay Water Polo Club in the 1991-92 season when teams were entered in A grade, Under 20 and Under 16 Men's competitions. Many of the players were recruited from Taroona High School, Hutchins and Hobart College. This was the beginning of a long relationship with these schools. 

Bill took care of all the administration and finances as well as refereeing games. Bill spent many late nights poring over the club’s finances and bagged up Cadbury’s rejected hazelnut whirls to sell at Island State Credit Union where he worked and had a very loyal customer base. We think that is what gave Cadbury’s the idea for their fundraising chocolate program which arrived several years later much to Bills’ relief. Bill was a long-serving Board Member, holding the position of Treasurer for many years. Simply put, without Bill Sandy Bay Water Polo Club would not exist.

Wesley Roach - appointed 13 June 2024

Wes helped Bill re-establish the Club in 1991-92. He drove recruitment and coached all the teams in that first year as well as refereeing games. He has been a longstanding board member and a past President. Wes has also been a longstanding and outstanding coach across all age groups and is a highly qualified referee, including local and national level events. As above with Bill, without Wes Sandy Bay Water Polo Club would not exist. Wes has given 32 years service to the Club and hasn't finished yet.

Garth Slade - appointed 13 June 2024

Garth Slade joined the club in 1992 and immediately made an impact. It was during one of the club’s quieter periods in 1996 that Garth and Wes mounted a recruitment drive that would ultimately see teams entered in every competition in both men’s and women’s for the first time and with teams in six grand finals. This resulted in the Sandy Bay Club becoming easily the number one club in Tasmania at that time. The club picked up two junior titles (under 14 girls and under 17 boys) in pre-Christmas Competitions, making a total of four premierships out of six for the 1996-97 season. Garth was active at all levels for the Club and again can be considered a founding member on which we have now built a base of over 140 playing members.

Katherine Dent - appointed 26 June 2025

Katherine Dent joined Sandy Bay Water Polo Club in 1997/98 at age 12 and quickly rose through the junior ranks, earning MVP honours and national representation. She went on to play National League and credits the club's coaches and community for her development. A passionate coach for over a decade, she has dedicated herself to empowering young women in sport and giving back to the club that shaped her. Even after breaks for family and travel, Katherine remains deeply connected—now proudly watching her daughter follow in her footsteps. Her lifelong contribution as a player, coach, and mentor exemplifies the values of Sandy Bay.

Scott Wilson - appointed 26 June 2025

Scott Wilson has been a central figure at Sandy Bay Water Polo Club since 1994, with a playing career spanning over 30 years. He has represented Tasmania from U17s through to the Australian Country Championships, refereed at both local and national levels, and coached countless juniors. Scott also served on the club board, including a term as president, playing a key role in shaping the club’s culture and direction. Most notably, his long-standing coaching of school and club teams—focusing on personal development over accolades—has left a profound impact on generations of players.

Dean Wright - appointed 26 June 2025

Dean Wright began coaching at Sandy Bay in 2010 and has since become a cornerstone of the club’s coaching and leadership. He has guided junior and senior teams—including his own children—and achieved multiple junior and senior premierships, including eight straight men’s titles. Dean served over a decade on the club board and led a Sandy Bay men’s team to national success at the Canberra Cup. Now in his 15th year of coaching, Dean continues to be a driving force in player development, known for his passion, consistency, and commitment to fostering a thriving club culture.