NOTABLE ACHIEVERS
This page is dedicated to those individuals, listed alphabetically by country, who had contributed significantly to the development and early diffusion of the game of canoe polo through imaginative pioneering and promotional techniques in their respective countries. Many of them were involved during the formative years of the sport from the early 1950's until 1988. This was 'The Golden Age' of the game when five exciting original but different styles of play were introduced, initiating in the late 1920's until standard rule unification in 1988 was mandated by the governing body of the International Canoe Federation. Included in this list are the names of later pioneers who have also introduced the sport into their own countries national federations from the year 1988 onwards until the present.
CANADA
BRAD CAMERON game pioneer, National team athlete, National Woman's Coach and National Referee
Brad currently lives in Grand Prairie, Alberta. At the age of twenty five he started playing canoe polo. He has always been a member of Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers since the beginning of his sporting career, where he has won the National canoe polo championships a total of six times. He helped take the game of canoe polo from a disorganised sport to become an organised system played throughout the country.
He had also personally trained almost every national team athlete through part of their sports development. He has worked very hard to expose his country to some of the best players and tactics in the world today. He has been a member of the Men's National team since 1998 spanning a period of over fifteen years. He preferred role is playing as a goal keeper where he can be seen wearing vest number 9.
He has attended the World Championships in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and in 2012. He has been coach of the Women's national team from 2003-2005 and from 2012 until the present day. From 2000 he has also taken on the role of National referee presiding in all of his country's canoe polo events.
He had also personally trained almost every national team athlete through part of their sports development. He has worked very hard to expose his country to some of the best players and tactics in the world today. He has been a member of the Men's National team since 1998 spanning a period of over fifteen years. He preferred role is playing as a goal keeper where he can be seen wearing vest number 9.
He has attended the World Championships in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and in 2012. He has been coach of the Women's national team from 2003-2005 and from 2012 until the present day. From 2000 he has also taken on the role of National referee presiding in all of his country's canoe polo events.
CZECH REPUBLIC
PETR JEZDIK game pioneer, current Czech National team coach, National team athlete. plays with vest # 3,
Currently living in Prague, at the age of ten in 1990 Petr started playing canoe polo. The first club he played with was Kanu Polo Praha. He was the first person to be involved with the introduction, promotion, development and diffusion of the sport in his native country and consequently was also the promoter of the first Men's National U21 Team. He has played with the Senior Men's National Team for over four years and has attended one World Championship as well as taking part in the European Championships playing with the Hungarian National Team in Essen in 2009.
He has played in the Spanish League Championships with the club Canoa Kayak Las Rozas and also in the Portuguese League Championships with Clube Desportivo de Paço de Arcos from Lisbon. He is still playing with Kanu Polo Praha in the role of goalkeeper as well as coaching the Czech Men's National Team. He is the organizer of the Lipno International held in the Bohemian district of Ceskey Krumlov every year in September.
He has played in the Spanish League Championships with the club Canoa Kayak Las Rozas and also in the Portuguese League Championships with Clube Desportivo de Paço de Arcos from Lisbon. He is still playing with Kanu Polo Praha in the role of goalkeeper as well as coaching the Czech Men's National Team. He is the organizer of the Lipno International held in the Bohemian district of Ceskey Krumlov every year in September.
FRANCE
THIERRY NOEL DUBUISSON game pioneer, ex-athlete, ex-National Coach, I.C.F. Referee.
Thierry currently lives in Feuguerolles. In 1977 at the age of seventeen he started playing canoe polo in Caen with his first club Foyer Rural Pont d'Ouilly. He was one of the main promoters of the 'British game rules' of canoe polo in France. Playing with his team he won the French National Championships in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988 and in 1989.
He was also the National League Champion winner in 1984, 1987 and in 1989. He played with the Senior National Team for five years from 1985 until 1989. During these years with the National Team he played with vest # 5 as a striker and scored over 15 goals. He also took part in two unofficial World Championships in Bourg St. Maurice in 1987 and in Sydney in 1989, classifying first and second in these events. He was the first coach of the National French Team from 1990 until 1998. He has been a National Referee since 1983 and also from 1990 an I.C.F. Referee. He is the currently the organizer of the 'Internationaux de France' held every year in Caen.
He was also the National League Champion winner in 1984, 1987 and in 1989. He played with the Senior National Team for five years from 1985 until 1989. During these years with the National Team he played with vest # 5 as a striker and scored over 15 goals. He also took part in two unofficial World Championships in Bourg St. Maurice in 1987 and in Sydney in 1989, classifying first and second in these events. He was the first coach of the National French Team from 1990 until 1998. He has been a National Referee since 1983 and also from 1990 an I.C.F. Referee. He is the currently the organizer of the 'Internationaux de France' held every year in Caen.
ITALY
REZA ALI 'Original Italian Rules' game pioneer, developer, promoter. ex-athlete, now canoe polo activist and historian.
Currently living in Manzano, he started playing canoe polo in 1979 at the age of thirty-six. Founder and the president of Natisone Kayak Club the first wild water club in Friuli which was the first club to practise canoe polo in Italy. He was the first person to create, develop, promote and play the game into the country introducing successfully the 'Italian paddle only' games rules which was consequently used in the Italian League & National Championships from 1981-1992.
He is one of the privileged few in the world to have played canoe polo with all the five types of rules (Italian, British, Dutch, German and Australian) that were used before game unification in 1988. In 1987 he refereed the first 'Coppa Italia' national championships in Rome. He had played in numerous national and international tournaments during a thirty year span of athletic activity in Italy, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, Australia and in Switzerland.
He is an avid researcher and historian on the origins of the sport of canoe polo. He has written a book entitled 'The Origins of Canoe Polo in the World' in English and also which has been recently translated into the Italian language.
He is the organizer of the first and most famous annual Italian international canoe polo tournament which started in 1979 and originally was played with the 'paddle only' styled Italian Rules. The 'Franco Baschirotto Memorial Challenge Trophy' is held every year on the second week-end in July in the town of Castello di Porpetto in north-eastern Italy.
He is one of the privileged few in the world to have played canoe polo with all the five types of rules (Italian, British, Dutch, German and Australian) that were used before game unification in 1988. In 1987 he refereed the first 'Coppa Italia' national championships in Rome. He had played in numerous national and international tournaments during a thirty year span of athletic activity in Italy, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, Australia and in Switzerland.
He is an avid researcher and historian on the origins of the sport of canoe polo. He has written a book entitled 'The Origins of Canoe Polo in the World' in English and also which has been recently translated into the Italian language.
He is the organizer of the first and most famous annual Italian international canoe polo tournament which started in 1979 and originally was played with the 'paddle only' styled Italian Rules. The 'Franco Baschirotto Memorial Challenge Trophy' is held every year on the second week-end in July in the town of Castello di Porpetto in north-eastern Italy.
THE NETHERLANDS
FRITS JAGER 'Original Dutch Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, former Chairman I.C.F. Canoe Polo Committee.
Frits was one of the early pioneers to create, introduce, develop, promote and play canoe polo in The Netherlands. with the 'Dutch paddle/hand' games rules. His first approach to canoe polo was at the age of 17 when he was with Ossa Heerhugowaard, a rowing club affiliated with the Amsterdam Roeibond (ARB).
He played with this club during the years 1976-1982. After he retired as an athlete he was a National Canoe Polo Referee from 1982-1990; an I.C.F. Referee from 1991-2005; an International Referee Trainer from 1982-2005.
From 1991-1998 he was a member of the I.C.F. Canoe Polo Committee; from 1998-2007 the Chairman of the I.C.F. Canoe Polo Committee. From 1982 until the present he has been officiating as the Chairman of the Dutch Canoe Polo Committee as well as being a top-level sports coordinator, the latter role which he has covered since 1996.
He played with this club during the years 1976-1982. After he retired as an athlete he was a National Canoe Polo Referee from 1982-1990; an I.C.F. Referee from 1991-2005; an International Referee Trainer from 1982-2005.
From 1991-1998 he was a member of the I.C.F. Canoe Polo Committee; from 1998-2007 the Chairman of the I.C.F. Canoe Polo Committee. From 1982 until the present he has been officiating as the Chairman of the Dutch Canoe Polo Committee as well as being a top-level sports coordinator, the latter role which he has covered since 1996.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EZIO 'E.J.' AMBROSETTI game pioneer, National team athlete, I.C.F. Referee, U.S. Representative C.O.P.A.C.
At the age of 14 he started playing canoe polo with A.S. Mariner in Rome, Italy. When he immigrated to Austin, Texas he took with him the 'Italian paddle only' games rules to a country where the game of canoe polo was still unknown. He was one of the principle persons who was a key figure in introducing, developing, promoting and playing canoe polo in the U.S.A. In 1997 he started playing with the Austin Aquabats, one of the first polo teams in the U.S.A. His team took part in the first U.S. National Tournament in 1988 as well as taking part in every annual tournament since then.
He has been a four-time winner with his team in the U.S. Championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011). He played in the role of goalkeeper with Vest # 1. Since 2005 he has played in 7 straight U.S. National Grand Finals. In 1998 he took part with the first informal U.S. National team in Edmonton, Canada.. Consequently he was selected to be on the official U.S. National Team taking part in the World Championships held in Portugal in 1988.
He has represented his country as an athlete from 1998-2004 having taken part in three World Championships. He had attended two Pan American Championships in 1999 and in 2003. He has been a Senior U.S. and I.C.F. Referee since 1998. He has also been a Member of the U.S. Canoe Polo Committee. Currently he is a United States Representative to the Pan-American Canoe Federation (C.O.P.A.C.).
He has been a four-time winner with his team in the U.S. Championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011). He played in the role of goalkeeper with Vest # 1. Since 2005 he has played in 7 straight U.S. National Grand Finals. In 1998 he took part with the first informal U.S. National team in Edmonton, Canada.. Consequently he was selected to be on the official U.S. National Team taking part in the World Championships held in Portugal in 1988.
He has represented his country as an athlete from 1998-2004 having taken part in three World Championships. He had attended two Pan American Championships in 1999 and in 2003. He has been a Senior U.S. and I.C.F. Referee since 1998. He has also been a Member of the U.S. Canoe Polo Committee. Currently he is a United States Representative to the Pan-American Canoe Federation (C.O.P.A.C.).
You can nominate the person of your choice by sending their name to: thecanoepoloarchives@gmail.com
OTHER NOMINEES
AUSTRALIA:
Ray Abrahall, 'Original Australian Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, ex-athlete.
CANADA:
Darryl O'Brien, game pioneer, ex-National team athlete, Canadian Canoe Polo Committee Member.
Dale O'Brien, game pioneer, ex-National team athlete.
GREAT BRITAIN
Oliver J. Cock, 'Original British Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, ex-National Coach, M.B.E. (deceased)
Rob Hignell, 'Original British Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, ex-Athlete.
IRELAND
Declan Gavin, game pioneer, ex-athlete
Ronnie Sheehan, game pioneer, ex-athlete
JAPAN
Kenta Hoya, game pioneer, ex-athlete
Megumi Watenabe, game pioneer, ex-athlete
LITHUANIA
Olegas Rubcovas, game pioneer, National team athlete, organizer Trakai International
NEW ZEALAND
James Mitchell, game pioneer
SINGAPORE
Keat Yeow, game pioneer, ex-athlete
L.C. Cheng, game pioneer, ex-athlete
SWEDEN:
Wolfgang Schottle, game pioneer, ex-athlete.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
Brad Carr, game pioneer, National team athlete.
AUSTRALIA:
Ray Abrahall, 'Original Australian Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, ex-athlete.
CANADA:
Darryl O'Brien, game pioneer, ex-National team athlete, Canadian Canoe Polo Committee Member.
Dale O'Brien, game pioneer, ex-National team athlete.
GREAT BRITAIN
Oliver J. Cock, 'Original British Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, ex-National Coach, M.B.E. (deceased)
Rob Hignell, 'Original British Rules' game pioneer, developer and promoter, ex-Athlete.
IRELAND
Declan Gavin, game pioneer, ex-athlete
Ronnie Sheehan, game pioneer, ex-athlete
JAPAN
Kenta Hoya, game pioneer, ex-athlete
Megumi Watenabe, game pioneer, ex-athlete
LITHUANIA
Olegas Rubcovas, game pioneer, National team athlete, organizer Trakai International
NEW ZEALAND
James Mitchell, game pioneer
SINGAPORE
Keat Yeow, game pioneer, ex-athlete
L.C. Cheng, game pioneer, ex-athlete
SWEDEN:
Wolfgang Schottle, game pioneer, ex-athlete.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
Brad Carr, game pioneer, National team athlete.
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