04/07/2026
Today was the UWA Water Polo Club AGM.
Today, we learnt that our HaBaWaBa campaign was not considered a sanctioned UWA Water Polo Club event and, as a result, the girls received no recognition for what they achieved.
During the meeting, as Chair, Club President Peter Hughes refuted any knowledge of the fundraising activities or the club’s involvement in the HaBaWaBa tour.
For many families, this was difficult to reconcile. Tour deposits were paid through the club and held in the club’s account. Fundraising took place throughout the Home & Away season. Peter Hughes attended fundraising events, and CEO Frank Di Costa announced the winner of our major $2,000 raffle over the public address system at a Torpedoes home game.
Throughout this journey, these girls proudly represented UWA Water Polo Club, Western Australia and Australia as the only Australian team to compete at the 2026 HaBaWaBa International Water Polo Festival in Italy.
They trained tirelessly, gave up weekends, fundraised, supported one another and embraced every opportunity. They competed against some of the best junior clubs in the world with courage, determination and pride. They represented their club, their state and their country with distinction.
It is deeply disappointing that their achievements were not acknowledged.
Politics should never overshadow the efforts and accomplishments of young athletes.
So, we’re going to celebrate them ourselves.
Over the coming days we’ll be sharing the incredible HaBaWaBa journey of these amazing girls—the friendships they built, the challenges they overcame, the unforgettable memories they created and the pride they brought to everyone who supported them.
No AGM outcome can ever take away what these girls achieved. They earned their place on the international stage, proudly represented UWA, Western Australia and Australia, and their story deserves to be celebrated. 💗🤽♀️🇦🇺🇮🇹
