RICHMOND’S OLYMPIANS
ROWENA “ROWIE” WEBSTER #7
Fierce, fearless, and fiercely committed, Rowie Webster is widely regarded as one of the toughest defenders in international water polo. A triple Olympian, she captained the Aussie Stingers at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Rowie’s water polo journey began at Richmond, playing in the U12s and following in the footsteps of her three older siblings. Over her extensive playing career, she represented Richmond Water Polo Club, the Victorian Tigers, Balmain Tigers in Sydney, and the Victorian Phoenix. A prolific scorer as well as a tenacious defender, Rowie still holds the National League record for most goals in a single season, an incredible 99.
Internationally, she was a key member of the Australian Junior Team that won gold at the 2007 FINA World Junior Championships under coach Phil Bower. Her talent also saw her play NCAA collegiate water polo at Arizona State University before heading to Greece to compete in the professional league in 2008.
Rowie’s senior international career is decorated with achievements: bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, vice-captain at the Rio 2016 Games, and silver medals at both the 2013 World Championships and 2014 World Cup. At Tokyo 2020, she led the Aussie Stingers as captain to a 5th-place finish after a narrow quarterfinal loss. Named a FINA Player of the Year finalist in 2013 and 2014, Rowie is the only Victorian to have captained the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team—an honour she holds with immense pride. She earned 305 international caps over her remarkable career.
Coaching Career
Since retiring from elite competition, Rowie has continued to shape the sport through coaching. She was appointed head coach of the Victorian Phoenix Women’s team in 2023 and is now preparing for her third season at the helm. In 2024, she also led the Australian 18&U Women’s Home Team at the World Championships, bringing her experience and leadership to the next generation of players. Rowie’s passion for the game and dedication to developing athletes make her a powerful force in and out of the pool.
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Ian "Millsy" Mills #3
Ian Mills is a two-time Olympian, having represented Australia at the 1964 Tokyo and 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. He was also part of the Australian team at the inaugural World Championships in Belgrade (1973) and again in Cali (1975). Over his illustrious career, Ian earned 222 caps for Australia.
A stalwart of Victorian Water Polo, Ian was continuously selected for the state team from 1962 to 1980, captaining the side from 1973 to 1980. Under his leadership, Victoria won six national titles, a testament to his skill and strategic brilliance.
Known as an outstanding defender with exceptional counter-attacking ability and tactical insight, Ian’s impact on the game extended beyond the pool. He served as a player, coach, manager, and President of Water Polo Victoria (1990-2001), forming lifelong friendships along the way.
In recognition of his contributions, Ian was inducted into the Australian Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2011.
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William "Billy" Tilley #13
William Tilley, affectionately known as Bill, represented Australia as a goalkeeper at the 1972 Munich Olympics. A stalwart in goal, Bill was also selected for the Australian touring teams in 1967 and 1973.
Over the course of his career, Bill earned 117 caps for Australia, making a significant impact on the national team.
On the state level, Bill represented Victoria as goalkeeper from 1961 to 1962, and again from 1965 to 1973, showcasing his skills over a remarkable career in Water Polo.
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John "OBIE" O'Brien #4 (1931-2020)
John O’Brien represented Australia in two Olympic Games, competing in Melbourne (1956) and captaining the team in Rome (1960).
Hailing from humble beginnings in Melbourne’s suburbs, John’s early talent in swimming quickly evolved into a passion for Water Polo when the sport resumed locally after World War II in 1946. Under the guidance of his first coach, Alf Barnett, John developed not only as a Water Polo player but also as a leader in life.
Known for his toughness, one teammate described him as “the toughest player I ever played with,” while another noted, “He had great skills with the ball and was a very dangerous man if required.”
John had a long and distinguished career representing Victoria, being selected continuously from 1953 to 1970. He captained the team from 1959 to 1968 and later coached from 1963 to 1970. Respected as both a player and coach, John led by example, known for his determination, aggression, and ability to inspire his teammates. His leadership and prowess earned him the admiration of both teammates and competitors.
In 2010, John was inducted into the Australian Water Polo Hall of Fame, an honour he described as a highlight of his storied career.
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James "JIMMY" O'Doherty (1927-1996)
James O'Doherty was a proud member of the Australian Water Polo team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
In 1949, at just 19 years old, James was considered a “possible” candidate for the Victorian State team. Through perseverance and hard work, he surpassed expectations, securing his spot by outperforming several higher-ranked players.
Within a year, he earned selection to the Australian national team, one of only three Victorians chosen. The team traveled to New Zealand to compete in the 1950 Centennial Games, forming the core group that would go on to represent Australia at the 1952 Olympics.
During his Water Polo career, Jimmy represented Australia 40 times.
Following his time in Water Polo, Jimmy transitioned into a successful coaching career, founding O'Doherty's Swimming Team. As a coach, he developed numerous State, National, and International swimmers, and in 1986, he was honored as Victorian Swim Coach of the Year.