Western Suburbs Amateur Water Polo Club: Early History
Wests was formed in 1965 by the merger of Ashfield and Enfield Water Polo Clubs, with the main purpose entering First Division. This was accomplished after three successful seasons in Second Division.
The origins of the Ashfield component go back to 1956 when Paul Mifsud, a former national goalkeeper of Malta, the island state in the Mediterranean Sea where Water Polo was uniquely the national sport and Tenno Koolberg met in the Accounts Dept of the Rolls Royce subsidiary in Sydney. They formed the Rolls Royce AWPC subsidised by the company’s social club. The first playing season was 1956/ 57. No records of this first season have been found.
On Oct 12, 1957 a meeting was held at the Domain Baths to form the Wanderers AWPC with Paul Mifsud elected the club’s coach and training sessions on Saturdays from 8 a.m. at the Domain Baths. In season 57/58 and 58/59 one 3rd grade team competed in the Metropolitan competition.
Col Rankin, a stalwart for the future joined the club in 1958. It is of interest to note from the minutes of the 2nd meeting of the Wanderers, quote: “The secretary reported that members had been slow in paying their entrance fees. He urged speed in this matter.”
To comply with the then FINA rules all Water Polo players had to be affiliated with a swimming club. At first most players were affiliated with the Dee Why ASC, the next year with Bronte ASC.
For the 59/60 season the members decided to affiliate with the Sydney ASC at the Domain, renaming the club the Domain Wanderers AWPC. From this time at least two teams were entered in the Sydney competition.
In 1961 for the 61/62 season it was deemed good PR to change the name to Sydney AWPC.
In 1962 the Ashfield Municipal pool was built and there was foresight to move to this new venue as the home pool, renaming the club Ashfield AWPC affiliated to the Ashfield ASC.
Thanks to Mark Persi and Tenno Koolberg (who has records from 1957 to 1963) for this pre-history.
Western Suburbs Amateur Water Polo Club: Modern History
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