Life Membership: Karen Kerr (Wade) (1991)

Born in 1964, Karen discovered water polo while a student at Kirrawee High School. She joined CSWPC for the 1978/79 Summer season, and as a player rose to the highest level of the sport possible in her era.

Karen’s career as a player is exemplary. Beginning as a 14-year-old, she played in Cronulla’s U18 team and was selected in the NSW U18 team for four Australian U18 Championships, captaining the team in her final year. As Karen progressed from Ladies 3rd grade to Ladies 1st grade over a period of 18 years, she represented Cronulla as a goalkeeper in the NSW Open Women’s team for 14 years, being elected as vice-captain for three of those years.

Also, over this period Karen was selected in the Australian Women’s water polo team for seven years, holding the positions of vice-captain for two years and captain for a year. She was a member of the Australian women's team that secured a silver medal at the 1991 FINA 6th World Championships in Los Angeles. Karen also played with Australia in the 1994 FINA 7th World Championships in Rome. Karen is cap #53 for Australia having played 85 games for the nation.

Throughout Karen’s representative years, she continued to play 1st grade goalkeeper with Cronulla and finished off her elite playing days with two seasons in Cronulla Women’s National League (AWL) team, winning gold in 2006.

As a coach Karen coached sides across many seasons, including Ladies 14s, Men 16Bs as well as Ladies 3rd and 4th grade over 25 years. For Sutherland Shire WPA, Karen coached Gunnamatta teams for more than a decade and assisted with the SSWPA Polobility program.

As well as her playing and coaching responsibilities, Karen undertook many official and administrative roles in our club, including:

• Manager of the Men’s 1st and 2nd grades for six seasons
• Social secretary for four years
• Vice president of Grade, division 1 for two years and division 2 for eight years
• Vice president for Juniors for ten years
• Representative Gunnamatta WP in SSWPA
• CSWPC President
• SSWPA Board Member for six years and Operations Director

Karen's longstanding dedication to Cronulla was recognized with life membership in 1991, honouring her significant contributions over the years.

When asked about her favourite memories with the club, Karen recounted many examples that demonstrated our strong club spirit. Specific instances she remembered were the Saturday afternoon training days at Gunnamatta Bay followed by club barbecues, great annual club social functions such as the Awards Days, Dirty 30s, Dress Up Theme Nights and Review/ Talent Quest Events.

Karen nominated several members as being inspirational to her over the years, particularly Bruce Falson who was a great coach, mentor and friend; Andrew Kerr and Michael Turner who were legendary players that she loved to watch play on a weekly basis; Jenny Cameron (Liessmann) who as a long-time friend always makes time for club members and the club and has been a great support over the years; Grace Bryant senior who always demonstrated a passion for young kids playing polo and was always poolside and of course Pat Jones for her trailblazing for Women’s water polo.