Coaching Team

Senior Women's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Angie Winstanley-Smith

Angie arrived in New Zealand over 8 years after a long professional career. Angie played at all levels - Olympics, World, European, World League and 10 consecutive Champions leagues. She played professionally in France and Spain and amassed over 300 caps spanning 12 years for her home country of Great Britain.

Upon arriving in NZ Angie secured a role in sports management at Diocesan where she led the school Water Polo. Over the last few years Angie has occupied the Director of Sport Role. Over the years Angie has secured many National and Regional titles - ranging from the AIMs Games to NZSS titles and National Club competitions. Recently Angie was selected for the HPSNZ Te Hapaitanga women in sport program where she sits alongside fellow female HP coaches.

Head Coach of the National Women since 2017, Angie has helped grow overseas opportunities for the kiwi athletes and slowly moving up the World Rankings the NZ Women are respected by the top polo nations.

Assistant Coach / Team Leader - Megan Thompson

Megan's commitment and dedication to our sport can not be challenged.

She has played for Hutt in all age groups and for New Zealand for many years. She has coached all age groups and is the current NZ Senior Womens assistant coach and Hutts Womens League coach. She has always been a great role model to those she works with.

Megan fulfilled a dream to attend University in the USA at Hartwick and was an All Star University player. She followed her studies with coaching at University in the USA.

Not only does she strive for excellence in sport she is now completing her MBA.

Assistant Coach - Eelco Uri

Senior Men's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Joseph Kayes

Joseph had a career in Europe spanning over a decade, playing for Szeged and OSC Budapest in Hungary, as well as Pro Recco in Italy. He has also represented Fremantle and Cronulla in the Australian NL, and the Australian men’s team at the highest level competing in the Rio Olympics in 2016.  He has extensive international experience with 106 international caps for Australia. Highlights include World Cup Silver in 2018, World League Bronze in 2019 and multiple Intercontinental titles.

Assistant Coaches - Nemo Radjen & Jacques Venter

Managers - Crystal Barnard & Rachel Cade

Under 25 Women's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Megan Thomson

Assistant Coach - Rachel Roset

Under 20 Women's Team/Squad

TBC

Under 20 Men's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Zoli Boros

Born in Szolnok, Hungary—a city renowned for its water polo heritage—Zoli Boros began playing the sport at age 12 under Olympic gold medallist Istvan Hasznos. By 15 he was competing in Hungary’s elite division (OB1), and across 10 professional seasons he played more than 260 games for Szolnok and Szeged, while also representing Hungary at U16 and U18 level.

Since moving to New Zealand in 2005, Zoli has contributed to the game as both player and coach. He debuted for the New Zealand Men’s Team in 2006, competed at the 2007 FINA World Championships, and captained the side during the Beijing Olympic Games Qualification series. Domestically, he played in the National League from 2006–2019, while also developing players at every level of the sport. He was Head Coach of Canterbury Water Polo from 2014–2018, and is currently Head Coach of Tairāwhiti Water Polo. He is also co-founder of the annual Salt Water Polo tournament in Lyttelton.

With decades of experience as an international player and coach, Zoli brings great knowledge and leadership to his role as Head Coach of the New Zealand U20 Men.

Assistant Coach - Paul Swindells

Paul Swindells brings a wealth of experience and passion to the New Zealand Men’s Water Polo program. A former national representative with nine years competing at the highest level, Paul has transitioned into a leadership role that continues to shape the future of the sport in Aotearoa.

Working closely with Marist Auckland Water Polo club, Paul has been instrumental in developing player pathways, mentoring coaches, and driving operational excellence within the club. His coaching philosophy is built on discipline, resilience, and continuous improvement—values that align perfectly with the demands of international competition.

Paul’s unique background in high-level project and team management outside the pool complements his coaching style, bringing strategic thinking, strong communication, and a results-driven mindset to the national program. His appointment further strengthens the New Zealand Men’s Water Polo programme which is focused on building a high-performance culture and achieving success on the world stage.

Under 18 Women's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Rachael Roset

TBC

Under 18 Men's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Josh Potaka

Assistant Coach - Nemo Radjen

Team Manager - James Ross

Under 16 Women's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Gabby Oloapu

Assistant Coach - TBC

Under 16 Men's Team/Squad

Head Coach - Rahiti Teokotai-White

Rahiti first began coaching at Hamilton Boys’ High School as a Year 12 student in 2010 after being asked to help out with the school's Junior team. Over the years his passion and dedication to coaching became apparent, coaching several schools in Hamilton as well as various age group teams for the Waikato club. After being taken on initially as an apprentice coach with the NZ U20 squad, he has gone from strength to strength with the National Team Programme, attending World Championships with the Junior and Youth teams in 2017 and 2018, as well as coaching the New Zealand Secondary Schools team across three separate campaigns, winning the Trans-Tasman and Tri Nations trophies and retaining the Trans-Tasman shield in each campaign.  

He has been involved in the sport across a range of capacities including as a Player, Manager, Teacher in Charge, Club Chairman, Committee Member, Referee and Coach earning a NZWP service award in 2021. He also leads the Hamilton Boys’ High School programme, taking the team from playing in the B Division to three consecutive NZSS finals, winning the Championship for the first time in 2021. He continues to be active in the Waikato Club across several age groups on the boy's side, coaching the U18 Men to Bronze at the 2022 National Championships.

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Assistant Coach - Tim Chambers

Team Manager - James Ross

James played Water Polo for Hutt Club as a teenager, before the sport took a backseat for a number of years. That changed in 2007 when a group of Palmerston North Boys' High School students wanted to play at Nationals. Since that time, James has had a big involvement with coaching, managing and administration of water polo for PNBHS and Manawatu Water Polo. This includes coaching everything from U12's through to Senior Men's.

He was the Manager for the New Zealand Secondary Schoolboys team from 2013-2015, the Manager for the Born 2003 squad and the Manager for NZ Youth Men's team in 2022.