Canoe Polo is an exciting team event played on 35m x 23m pitches set up in swimming pools or on flat stretches of water. Teams of 5 paddlers endeavour to score goals in a net suspended 2m above the water, the ball being thrown by hand, or ‘flicked’ with the paddle. Naturally, the team with the most goals at the end of the match wins the game. Find out more about Canoe Polo.

2023 SELECTION CRITERIA SUPPLEMENT
Polo is played across Australia, from Perth to Alice Springs and Nowra. Players of all levels are welcome, whether you’re eager to try the sport or may have played elsewhere, there are supportive Canoe Polo communities located in all the capital cities, as well as regionally. To find out more, contact one of the state coordinators below.
Canoe Polo is also on social media, with clubs having pages on Facebook and Instagram. You can find the Australian Canoe Polo Facebook page here.
State Representatives
State | Representative Name | Email Address |
VIC | James DuBose | jamesdubose@gmail.com |
NSW | Craig Hutchinson | craighutchinson06@hotmail.com |
QLD | Don Steel | don@brookfieldwater.com.au |
ACT | Laura Kleinrahm | laurakleinrahm3@gmail.com |
TAS | Jethro & Chris Bates | tamar@canoe.org.au |
SA | Noel Holmes | canoe.polo.sa@gmail.com |
WA | Wing Lau | wlau2016@gmail.com |
Rules and Refereeing- State Coordinators
Chief Referee (Donald Leigh): donaldleigh76@gmail.com
State | Representative Name | |
VIC | Dale Tomlinson | dale13.tomlinson |
NSW | Sam McLeod | ilovecanoepolo@gmail.com |
QLD | Siobhan Goble | siobhan.goble@hotmail.com |
ACT | Adam Hofmeyer | adam_hofmeyer@hotmail.com |
TAS | Simon Barnes | simonbarnsey14@gmail.com |
SA | Ricky Belisle | rickybelisle@hotmail.com |
WA | Wing Lau | wlau2016@gmail.com |
2023 PA Canoe Polo Championships
The 2023 PA Canoe Polo Championships will be held in Ballarat, VIC from the 7-9th of April, 2023. Entries for team nomination will be open shortly via the events link.
2022/23 Canoe Polo Summer Series
2023 Regional Events
Canoe Polo Oceania Championships
The 2023 Canoe Polo Oceania Championships will be held in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand from the 7th – 10th of December 2023, hosted by the New Zealand Canoe Polo Association
Nominations for the 2023 Canoe Polo Oceania Championships have been extended until 31 May 2023 for athletes nominating for U18 Women, U18 Men, O35 or O45 age categories. For those wishing to be considered for selection, please submit your nomination via JustGo by 31 May 2023 and refer to the Selection Criteria Supplement and PA Selection Procedures Policy below:
Please note: Athletes nominating for selection to any Australian Canoe Polo Team must provide relevant documentation HERE by 31 May 2023 below in line with the PA Selection Procedures Policy. Should documentation not be received by the due date above, the nomination may not be considered.
Coaching nominations for the 2023 Oceania Championships are also now open, and any questions and queries for further information should be directed to coach.canoepolo@gmail.com
- 2022 PA Canoe Polo National Championships – Results
- 2022 PA Canoe Polo Championships – Results
- 2021 PA Canoe Polo Championships – cancelled
- 2020 PA Canoe Polo Championships – cancelled
- 2019 PA Canoe Polo Championships – Results
- 2018 Australian Canoe Polo Championships – Results
2018 Australian Canoe Polo Women’s Team
2018 Australian Canoe Polo Men’s Team
AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TEAMS
ICF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over thirty-five countries now compete at the ICF World Canoe Polo Championships. Australia has competed since the inaugural championships in 1994. Australian men took gold in 1994, 1996 and 1998. Australian men are set to compete again in Canada 2018.
2018, Welland
Placing: 12th
Coach: Matthew Moore
Manager: John Moore
Team
Matthew Perrin |
Adam Hofmeyer |
Luke Holmes |
Nathan Rosaguti |
Mark Huang |
Stephen Hubbard |
Jay Burgess |
Ben Stark |
2016, Syracuse
Placing: 15th
Coach: Matthew Moore
Manager: John Moore
Team
Robert Sims |
Andrew Merrifield |
Louie Wu |
Nathan Rosaguti |
Stephen Porter |
Ian McIntosh |
Rowan Holt |
James Deakin |
Salim Alijunied |
2014, Thury-Harcourt
Placing: 13th
Coach: Brett Houghton and Matthew Moore
Manager: John Moore
Team
Robert Sims |
Andrew Merrifield |
Craig Hutchinson |
Jay Burgess |
Stephan Hubbard |
Joshua Holmes |
Ian McIntosh |
Luke Holmes |
2012, Poznan
Placing: 4th
Coach: Duncan Cochrane and Ian McIntosh
Manager: Ken Sullivan
Team
Robert Sims |
Nathan Moore |
Matthew Moore |
Craig Hutchinson (C) |
Anton Holmes |
Stephan Hubbard |
Ian McIntosh |
Luke Holmes |
2010, Milan
Placing: 8th
Coach: Stephen Gibson
Manager: John Moore
Team
Robert Sims |
Matthew Perrin |
Matthew Moore |
Craig Hutchinson |
Ian McIntosh |
Anton Holmes |
Luke Holmes |
Chris Heard |
Matthew Schar |
2008, Edmonton
Placing: 4th
Coach: Carolyn Cochrane
Manager: John Moore
Team
Steven Porter |
Nathan Moore (C) |
Craig Hutchinson |
Anton Holmes |
Matthew Schar |
Joshua Holmes |
Chris Heard |
Ian McIntosh |
Luke Holmes |
2006, Amsterdam
Placing: 6th
Coach: Mark Henwood
Manager: Ken Sullivan
Team
Robert Sims |
Craig Hutchinson |
Joshua Holmes (C) |
Anton Holmes |
Chris Heard |
Matthew Schar |
Steve Harmer |
2004, Miyoshi
Placing: 6th
Coach: Duncan Cochrane
Manager: Colin Hutchinson
Team
Graham Bayne (C) |
Chris Heard |
Mark Henwood |
Anton Holmes |
Andrew Kennedy |
Ian Plummer |
Craig Hutchinson |
2002, Essen
Placing: 5th
Coach: Paul Carter
Team
Brad Baker (C) |
Trent Baker |
Graham Bayne |
Duncan Cochrane |
Mark Henwood |
Alan Lawson |
Dean McIntosh |
Matthew Moore |
Nathan Moore |
2000, Sao Paulo
Placing: 5th
Coach: Brett Houghton
Manager: Margot Rosser
Team
Stephen Gibson (C) |
James Deakin |
Brad Baker |
Trent Baker |
Richard Coates |
Duncan Cochrane |
Jason Downey |
Anton Holmes |
Alan Lawson |
1998, Aveiro
Placing: Gold, World Champions
Coach: Paul Carter
Manager: Marg Smith
Team
Brad Baker |
Trent Baker |
Duncan Cochrane (C) |
Stephen Gibson |
Brett Houghton |
Andrew Kennedy |
Keith McChlery |
Andrew Waters |
1996, Adelaide
Placing: Gold, World Champions
Coach: Paul Carter and Megan Bramich
Manager: Corey Gray
Team
Luke Ariston |
Damien Armstrong |
Brad Baker |
Trent Baker |
Duncan Cochrane (C) |
Steve Hemsley |
Brett Houghton |
Keith McChlery |
1994, Sheffield
Placing: Gold, World Champions
Coach: Stephen Bath
Manager: Marianne Cochrane
Team
Aaron Fleet |
Paul Carter |
Brett Houghton |
Steve Hemsley |
Keith McChlery |
Duncan Cochrane |
Scott Makin |
Chris Van Genderen (C) |
WORLD GAMES
The World Games are the pinnacle event in the canoe polo calendar. Only six countries qualify to compete in canoe polo at the multi-sport games. Australia first competed at the inaugural 2005 games. Australian men took bronze in 2009.
2017, Wroclaw
Did not compete
2013, Cali
Placing: 5th
Coach: Nathan Moore
Manager: Noel Holmes and John Moore
Team
Robert Sims |
Matthew Moore |
Craig Hutchinson (C) |
Anton Holmes |
Stephen Hubbard |
Josh Holmes |
Ian McIntosh |
Luke Holmes |
2009, Kaohsiung
Placing: Bronze
Manager: John Moore
Team
Duncan Cochrane |
Craig Hutchinson |
Anton Holmes |
Joshua Holmes |
Chris Heard |
Ian McIntosh |
Matthew Moore |
Nathan Moore |
2005, Duisburg
Placing: 6th
Coach: Steve Hemsley
Team
Robert Sims |
Nathan Moore |
Craig Hutchinson |
Anton Holmes (C) |
Ian Plummer |
Joshua Holmes |
Angelo Della-Noce |
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S TEAMS
ICF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over thirty-five countries now compete at the ICF World Canoe Polo Championships. Australia has competed since the inaugural championships in 1994. Australian women took gold in 1994 and 1998, silver in 1996, bronze in 2002 and 2012. Australian women are set to compete in Canada 2018.
2018, Syracuse
Placing: 16th
Coach: Rebecca Jennings
Manager: John Moore
Team
Carley Goodwin |
Stacey Goodwin |
Jennifer Stevens |
Brigit Doyle |
Anna Thompson |
Alana Pacholke |
Laura Kleinrahm |
2018, Syracuse
Did not compete
2014, Thury-Harcourt
Did not compete
2012, Poznan
Placing: Bronze
Coach: Matthew Heard and Chris Heard
Manager: Ken Sullivan
Team
Louise McIntosh |
Siobhan Goble |
Alisa Enting-Hawke |
Nikky Lee |
Sarah Heard (C) |
Rebecca Jennings |
Stephanie Agnew |
2010, Milan
Placing: 5th
Coach: Mathew Heard
Manager: Ken Sullivan
Team
Cassandra Caldwell |
Louise McIntosh |
Siobhan Goble |
Alisa Enting-Hawke |
Nikky Lee |
Sarah Cartwright |
Libby Le Coultre |
Stephanie Agnew |
2008, Edmonton
Placing: 5th
Coach: Joanne Vartanian
Manager: Brenda Stork
Team
Megan Holmes |
Siobhan Goble |
Alisa Enting-Hawke |
Kate Abbey (C) |
Sarah Cartwright |
Stephanie Sullivan |
Libby Anderson |
Rebecca Jennings |
2006, Amsterdam
Placing: 6th
Coach: Kate Abbey
Manager: Ken Sullivan
Team
Cassandra Caldwell (C) |
Louise McIntosh |
Kate Graham |
Alisa Enting-Hawke |
Amy Gluyas |
Sarah Cartwirght |
Stephanie Sullivan |
2004, Miyoshi
Placing: 5th
Coach: Joanne Vartanian
Manager: Margot Rosser
Team
Kate Abbey (C) |
Trish Butler |
Amy Dawes |
Sarah Moore |
Heidi Philpott |
Anne Rosser |
Michelle Springall |
Briony Turner |
2002, Essen
Placing: Bronze
Coach: Joanne Vartanian
Team
Kate Abbey |
Sarah Alexander |
Carolyn Cochrane (C) |
Megan Holmes |
Alison Hughes |
Jo Patrick |
Juliette Makin |
Anne Rosser |
Gail Songberg |
Briony Turner |
2000, Sao Paulo
Placing: 5th
Coach:Duncan Cochrane
Manager: Margot Rosser
Team
Gail Songberg (C) |
Carolyn Cochrane |
Kate Abbey |
Jacquie Cools |
Liza Holmes |
Megan Holmes |
Joanna Patrick |
Anne Rosser |
1998, Aveiro
Placing: Gold, World Champions
Coach: Chris van Genderen
Manager: Marg Smith
Team
Carolyn Cochrane |
Celia Coote |
Janet Hummerstone |
Juliette Makin |
Belinda Ness |
Gail Songberg |
Anne Roser |
Joanne Vartanian (C) |
1996, Adelaide
Placing: Silver
Coach: Phil Doddridge and Kevin Crowe
Manager: Corey Gray
Team
Carolyn Cochrane |
Anne Duncan |
Morwena Griffiths |
Jenny Hourigan |
Antonia Keiran |
Juliette Makin (C) |
Belinda Ness |
Gail Songberg |
Kaye Truscott |
Joanne Vartanian |
1994, Sheffield
Placing: Gold, World Champions
Coach: Duncan Cochrane
Manager: Marianne Cochrane
Team
Anne Duncan |
Nerilee Flint |
Joanne Hemsley (C) |
Caroline Houghton |
Janet Hummerston |
Julie Keast |
Juliette Makin |
Caroline Ninnes |
Elizabeth Shem |
Kaye Truscott |
WORLD GAMES
The World Games are the pinnacle event in the canoe polo calendar. Only six countries qualify to compete in canoe polo at the multi-sport games. Australia first competed at the inaugural 2005 games.
2017, Wroclaw
Did not compete
2013, Cali
Placing: 5th
Coach: Matthew Heard
Manager: Noel Holmes and John Moore
Team
Brooke Honeyman |
Siobhan Goble |
Ailsa Enting-Hawke |
Nikky Lee |
Sarah Heard (C) |
Rebecca Jennings |
Laren Ljiljak |
2009, Kaohsiung
Placing: 6th
Coach: Kate Abbey
Manager: John Moore
Team
Cassandra Sims |
Libby Anderson |
Siobhan Goble |
Ailsa Enting-Hawke |
Amy Dawes |
Sarah Cartwright |
Rebecca Jennings |
2005, Duisburg
Placing: 6th
Coach: Carolyn Cochrane
Team
Cassandra Caldwell |
Celia Challender |
Amy Dawes |
Megan Holmes |
Kate Abbey (C) |
Sarah Cartwright |
Joanne Vartanian (C) |
Michelle Springall |
AUSTRALIAN U21 MEN’S TEAMS
ICF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over thirty-five countries now compete at the ICF World Canoe Polo Championships. Australia has competed since the inaugural championships in 1994. The U21 category was introduced in 2002 at Miyoshi. Australia U21 has competed at only two championships.
2010, Milan
Placing: 6th
Coach: CJ van Genderen
Manager: Rob Watson and Gaylene Watson
Team
Matt Greaves |
Jeremy Lee |
Andrew Goodison |
Sam Holt |
Nathan Watson |
Steven Hubbard |
Andrew Merrifield |
2008, Edmonton
Placing: 8th
Coach: Matthew Moore
Manager: Bob Stork
Team
Tom Stork (C) |
Matt Perrin |
Sam Holt |
Stephen Hubbard |
Matt Greaves |
Adrian Porter |
Ben Stark |
Michael Taylor |
Find a Referee
Introduction to Canoe polo Rules
The “Introduction to Canoe Polo Rules” is to be completed by player, coach or official as an awareness requirement prior to taking part in the first national competition in the national calendar year.
Note: this is not a formal refereeing qualification required to officiate at any level
This program is regarded as a prerequisite for completing training and assessment within the Australian Canoe Polo Referee Qualification Program.
On completion of the program, please email your results along with your name and contact number to: Education@paddle.org.au
The FREE program can be found by clicking the button below
Refereeing Practice
- 2022 ICF Canoe Polo rules
- 2022 ICF Rules Clarifications
- 2022 ICF Rule Clarification – Deliberate Fouls
- Referee – accreditation scheme
- Referee – practice guidelines
- Referee – training program
- ICF Rules Discussion Group
Have a question? Contact Referee Working Group Lead, Siobhan Goble at siobhan.goble@hotmail.com
State Refereeing Representative
ACT – Adam Hofmeyer
NSW – Ian McLeod
QLD – Siobhan Goble
VIC – Dale Tomlinson
SA – Ricky Belisle
TAS – Simon Barnes
The PA Canoe Polo Coaching program is currently under review, and will be updated in 2023.
Paddle Australia Canoe Polo Technical Committee (PACPTC)
- John Moore (Chair)
- Matt Moore (Vice Chair)
- Laura Kleinrahm, (Athlete Rep)
- Rob Watson
- DJ Dubose
- Don Steel
- Anthea Courtney
- Siobhan Goble