Water Polo Canada announces the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame inductee Class of 2025
<p>Ottawa, March 27, 2025 - Water Polo Canada is proud to announce the fourth class of inductees to be inducted into the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame (CWPHOF), as part of a ceremony set to take place Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Ottawa, ON. </p> <p><strong>The members of the 2025 class to be inducted into the CWPHOF are: </strong> </p> <ul> <li>Aaron Feltham (Athlete) - Lindsay, ON</li> <li>David Hart (Builder) - Hamilton, ON</li> <li>Michel Roy (Coach) - Vancouver, BC</li> <li>Gabor Csepregi (Distinguished Alumni) - Québec City, QC</li> <li>Guy Simonis (Historical Figure) - Winnipeg, MB </li> </ul> <hr> <p><strong>Get your <a href="https://waterpolocanada.crowdchange.co/48769" target="_blank">tickets</a> now!</strong> </p> <p>Sponsorship opportunities are also detailed <a href="/cloud/waterpoloca/files/2025_EN%20CWPHOF%20Sponsorship%20Package.pdf">here</a>. </p> <p>More details on each of the 2025 inductees are available below. </p> <hr> <p>“The Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame Class of 2025 is the fourth remarkable group of inductees from the rich history of our sport,” said CWPHOF Committee Chair Noah Miller. "Water polo was first played in Canada in 1886 at a location near Lachine, Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River, by a group of British expatriates who brought the sport across the Atlantic from its birthplace in 1870 in Scotland. This year, we will be honouring members of our community who have made significant contributions to our sport. The committee looks forward to organizing an event bringing together fans of our sport to celebrate the accomplishments of our 2025 inductees." </p> <p>"Now in its fourth year, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is an annual celebration of our sport that the Canadian water polo community eagerly anticipates,” added WPC President Kathleen Dawson. “It is entirely thanks to a very committed group of volunteers that this initiative was initially launched, and they continue to dedicate countless hours to selecting each new cohort of inductees. Congratulations to this year’s recipients of this honor. Your contribution to the sport of water polo in Canada is truly remarkable. <br> <br>The CWPHOF seeks to recognize past and present athletes, coaches, referees, staff, and volunteers for their significant contributions to Canadian water polo and to our sport as a whole. The Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame committee is composed of Noah Miller (Chair), Adam Deffett (Water Polo Canada Board Liaison), Christi Bardecki, Ann Dow, Klara Miller, and John Stockdale. Support is provided from Water Polo Canada staff, including Rebekka Steenkamer (WPC's Sport Development Manager). The committee also received contributions from Bill Shaw and Marilyn Thorington, both of whom recently retired from the committee. <br> <br>More details on the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame, including previous inductees, can be found at: <a href="https://waterpolo.ca/content/hall-of-fame">https://waterpolo.ca/content/hall-of-fame</a>. </p> <hr> <p><strong>2025 Inductees to the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame </strong> </p> <p><strong>Aaron Feltham (Athlete)</strong> </p> <p>Aaron Feltham has had an exceptional career in water polo, helping to elevate Canada’s presence on the international stage. A standout player from a young age, he represented Canada at the Junior Pan American Championships in 2000, where he was the tournament's leading scorer, and later at the Junior World Championships in 2001. After moving to Calgary to train with the senior national team, he became a key figure in Canada’s water polo success, competing in four FINA World Championships and two Pan American Games, where he helped secure a bronze medal in 2007 and a historic silver in 2011. Most notably, he played a critical role in leading Canada to its first Olympic berth in 24 years at the 2008 Beijing Games, qualifying through a challenging tournament in Romania. </p> <p>Feltham also made a name for himself professionally, becoming the first home-grown and trained Canadian to compete in Hungary’s prestigious First Division with ZF Eger. During his time there, he helped his team win the Hungarian Cup, secure multiple runner-up finishes in the league and European LEN Cup, and earn a spot in the final eight of the Euro League. His performances were so impressive that he was voted the best foreign player in the Hungarian league in 2009, a rare honor that underscored his talent and impact. His professional career also included a season in Australia, where he was among the league's top scorers. </p> <p>Even after injuries slowed his playing career, Feltham remained dedicated to the sport through coaching, mentoring, and administrative leadership. He has coached youth national teams and club programs, served on the board of Water Polo Canada, and contributed internationally as a long-time member of the FINA Athletes Committee. Respected for his knowledge, leadership, and unwavering passion for water polo, Aaron Feltham has not only been a world-class athlete but also a key figure in the continued growth of the sport in Canada and beyond. </p> <hr> <p><strong>David Hart (Builder)</strong> </p> <p>David Hart’s induction into the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2025 is a recognition of his extraordinary influence on the sport as an athlete, coach, administrator, and innovator. His career, spanning over seven decades and 14 Olympic cycles, is the most extensive of any Canadian water polo figure in history. As a player and coach, Hart is a four-time Olympian (1972, 1976, 1984, 2000) and co-captained the national team at the 1976 Montreal Games. His contributions extended beyond his playing career, as he transitioned into coaching, where he became the only Canadian to coach all six national team programs—Senior Men, Senior Women, Junior Men, Junior Women, Youth Men, and Youth Women. Hart further distinguished himself internationally by becoming the first Canadian to serve as head coach of a foreign national team, leading Brazil’s women’s team from 2002 to 2003. His coaching achievements include eight international medals, notably a gold with the Canadian women’s team at the 1999 Pan American Games. </p> <p>Hart’s impact on Canadian water polo goes beyond competition. As the Technical Director for Water Polo Canada, he spearheaded numerous initiatives that helped shape the sport’s development nationwide. He was instrumental in expanding the National Championships, launching Canada’s first national coaching certification programs, and pioneering the Canadian Water Polo League (CWPL), which provided athletes with greater opportunities for high-level play. His innovative contributions included the development of one of the first computer-based game analysis systems for water polo, helping to modernize the sport’s tactical approach. Furthermore, his grassroots initiatives, such as "Operation 10,000," aimed at significantly increasing national participation, and "I Love Water Polo," a widely adopted youth program, have played a crucial role in fostering the next generation of Canadian water polo athletes. </p> <p>Even after decades of service to the sport, Hart continues to leave a lasting legacy. He has authored multiple historical works on Canadian water polo, preserving the rich history of the sport for future generations. As Chairperson of the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame, he has worked to ensure that the contributions of past and present athletes and coaches are recognized. In recent years, he has taken on roles as a mentor and high-performance advisor, guiding young athletes and coaches as they develop their skills. His unwavering dedication and pioneering efforts have left an indelible mark on Canadian water polo, making his induction into the Hall of Fame a fitting tribute to a truly legendary career. </p> <hr> <p><strong>Michel Roy (Coach)</strong> </p> <p>Michel Roy’s induction into the Canadian Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2025 recognizes his extraordinary contributions as a coach, shaping the success of numerous athletes and teams over more than four decades. His coaching career has been defined by his ability to develop winning teams at both the national and international levels. Most notably, Roy played a pivotal role in leading two of Canada’s most successful water polo clubs—Vancouver Reign and Pacific Storm—to multiple national championships. Under his leadership, Vancouver Reign dominated the national stage in the early 1990s, winning consecutive Senior Men’s National Championships from 1992 to 1994. He replicated this success with Pacific Storm, where he coached his team to four consecutive Senior Men’s National Championships between 1999 and 2002, firmly establishing the club as a powerhouse in Canadian water polo. Over the course of his coaching career in Canada, he has won, as head coach, 29 National Championship Titles in both genders and various age groups.? Remarkably, Michel's Pacific Storm Club, in 1993, swept all National Titles in the Men's divisions (Juvenile, Junior, and Senior). </p> <p>Beyond his club success, Roy had a lasting impact on the national program, serving as head coach for Water Polo Canada across multiple age groups and divisions. He guided the Senior Women’s National Team to major international competitions, including the FINA World Championships and Olympic qualification events, and also led the Junior Men’s National Team to victories on the international stage. His leadership extended to the National Development Centre in Ottawa/Gatineau, where he mentored young athletes who would go on to represent Canada at the highest levels. Roy’s ability to build and sustain elite programs helped shape the next generation of Canadian water polo talent, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most influential coaches in the sport’s history. </p> <p>In addition to his contributions to club and national programs, Roy made a significant impact in the NCAA, serving as the head coach for the University of Hawaii’s Division I women’s team for a decade. Under his guidance, the program achieved historic success, making multiple NCAA Final Four appearances and consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation. He was named MPSF Coach of the Year twice, a testament to his ability to elevate programs to new heights. Whether at the club, national, or collegiate level, Roy’s ability to cultivate championship-winning teams and foster athlete development has left an indelible mark on Canadian water polo, making his Hall of Fame induction a fitting recognition of his exceptional career. </p> <hr> <p><strong>Gabor Csepregi (Distinguished Alumni)</strong> </p> <p>Gabor Csepregi is a distinguished athlete, coach, and academic whose contributions to Canadian water polo span decades. As a player, he represented Canada at the highest level, competing in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, where he served as co-captain of the national team. His commitment to the sport was unwavering, never missing a single national team game between 1971 and 1985 either as a player or a coach. His career includes appearances at three Olympic Games, three World Championships, and four Pan American Games, earning him numerous accolades, including Quebec City Athlete of the Year (1971), Most Valuable Player at the Canadian Water Polo Championship (1974), and the prestigious Jean-Denis Dionne Award (2018). His leadership extended beyond the water, as he transitioned into coaching, guiding the Canadian national team at the 1984 Olympic Games and further shaping the next generation of athletes. </p> <p>Beyond his sporting achievements, Csepregi has had an illustrious academic career. He has served as a professor, researcher, and administrator at institutions such as Université de Saint-Boniface, Dominican University College, and Laval University. His scholarly work focuses on philosophical anthropology, with publications exploring human perception, time, music, and play. A polyglot and author, he has written extensively on musical aesthetics and philosophy, with works published by McGill-Queen’s University Press and University of Calgary Press. His impact on both sport and academia is profound, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to excellence, leadership, and intellectual pursuit. Now a visiting scholar at St. Paul’s College, University of Manitoba, Csepregi continues to inspire through his research and mentorship, leaving a lasting legacy in Canadian water polo and beyond. </p> <hr> <p><strong>Guy Simonis (Historical Figure)</strong> </p> <p>Guy Simonis is a trailblazer in the development of water polo in Canada and a visionary leader in the broader world of sport administration. Born in the Netherlands, he played water polo as a teenager before immigrating to Winnipeg in 1954. Finding no existing teams, he took it upon himself to grow the sport. By 1959, he had gathered enough interest to form an impromptu league with two teams, organizing practices, games, fundraising, and meetings. This grassroots effort laid the foundation for organized water polo in Manitoba. His leadership continued when he formed a Manitoba team to compete at the 1964 National Water Polo Championships, where he participated as both a player and a referee. His influence expanded nationally when he was elected President of Water Polo Canada in 1968. That same year, FINA recognized his expertise, selecting him to officiate water polo matches at the Olympic Games in Mexico City. </p> <p>Beyond water polo, Simonis made a lasting impact on amateur sport funding in Canada. As the primary founder and first Chairman of the Manitoba Sports Federation, he spearheaded efforts to secure financial support for amateur athletes. Tasked by the Manitoba government with establishing a lottery to fund sports, he became the Executive Director of Western Canada Lottery in 1974, setting the stage for future nationwide lotteries such as Lotto 6/49. His leadership in the lottery industry expanded internationally, serving as President of various lottery associations and earning numerous honors, including the founding presidency of the World Lottery Association. His contributions to Canadian sport and lottery funding were recognized with inductions into the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame (1992) and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (1994), as well as a lifetime achievement award in his name. Simonis’ legacy is one of dedication, innovation, and profound impact on both water polo and sports funding in Canada. </p>
