Olympians and Water Polo Greats to Officiate at 2025 Australian Country Championships

Water Polo Queensland (WPQ) is proud to announce three highly respected officials who will be involved in the 2025 Australian Country Championships. Don Cameron, Danny Flahive, and John Fox will all play important roles at this year’s event, bringing many years of experience in playing, coaching, and refereeing at the highest levels.

Don Cameron - has been involved in water polo for almost 50 years. He played as a goalkeeper for the Australian Men’s Team from 1978 to 1988, including at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and earned 174 caps for his country. He later coached the Australian Men’s Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Don was captain of the AIS team from 1985 to 1988 and later worked as both Assistant Coach and Head Coach of the AIS Men’s Program. He was also the National Coaching Director of Water Polo Australia from 1989 to 1996. Don has been a referee at international tournaments, including the 1987 Junior World Championships in Brazil, and is currently on the World Aquatics Technical Committee. He is a Life Member of WPA, ACT, and Nordek.

Danny Flahive - is one of Australia’s most experienced water polo referees. He officiated at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as at every World Championships from 2007 to 2021 spanning a 14 year international career. He has been an AWL referee since 2005 and has also coached Melbourne and Victorian AWL teams. Danny played at the 1981 Junior World Championships and is still very active in the sport. He is a Life Member of both Footscray Water Polo Club and Victoria Water Polo, and he currently serves as the Vice President of Victorian Water Polo.

John Fox - played 383 games for the Australian Men’s Team, including at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After retiring as a player, he became Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Team from 2007 to 2012, coaching them at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics and coached them win two bronze medals at the World League Finals in consecutive years. John has also recently coached the Australian junior national teams. He played for ACT at the Australian Country Championships for three years and was also an Australian Country Coach. He was inducted into the Water Polo Australia Hall of Fame in 2023 and has just come back from Western Australia, where he coached the Fremantle Men's in the AWL.

These three officials bring valuable knowledge and experience to the championships and are great role models for the players and coaches involved. WPQ is excited to have them on board and looks forward to a great tournament.