Welcome Database Indexes Copyright/Disclaimer Login  

Bruce Lloyd FALSON 1950-2018

Australian water polo coach and pioneer

Bruce (Brew) Falson was born in 1950, the son of Frank and Ruth Falson and brother of Tony and Cecile. He grew up in Cronulla and attended Cronulla High School where he was Vice Captain. He was a multi talented sportsman and played rugby union and league as well as being a swimming champion.

In 1964 The St. George and Sutherland Shire Amateur Water Polo Club was formed and, in the Second Grade of that inaugural year, was teenage Bruce Falson. In 1969 he was a member of the NSW water polo team. The first ladies team entered the competition in 1968-69 and won their first First Grade Premiership. In 1970 the Club changed its name to the Cronulla Sutherland Water Polo Club becoming an affiliate of the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club and known as the Cronulla Sharks Water Polo Club.

In 1975-76 the men’s team, after competing in 3 Grand Finals, won the First Grade premiership. The winning team was coached By Bruce Falson with Andrew Kerr as Captain and in the team was Bruce’s brother Tony.

It was as a coach, particularly of women’s teams, that Bruce Falson would achieve outstanding success and international recognition. He was a pioneer in shaping the women’s water polo pathway program. He was the head coach for the first ever World Junior Championships held in Quebec, Canada in 1995 and for more than 15 years was head of the national junior women’s program.

During his time as head coach Australia’s Junior Women’s Teams won 2 gold, three silver and 1 bronze medal from 7 Junior Women’s World Championships. Many from those teams went on to win Olympic, Senior World Championship and World Cup medals. Five members from the junior’s program – Taryn Woods, Gail Miller, Yvette Higgins, Jo Fox and Kate Hooper – won Olympic Gold in Sydney in 2000. Bruce Falson shaped the lives of many young, female, water polo players and was the most successful coach in the sport that Australia has ever had.

In 2012, Bruce Falson was awarded Life Membership of Water Polo NSW for his services to the sport. After a long illness, he died at home on 22 July, 2018. He was 68. His funeral was held at Woronora Memorial Park.

An article by John Veague about Bruce Falson was published in The Leader on 24 July 2018:

www.theleader.com.au/story/5543408/vale-big-bruce-falson/

 

Colleen Passfield 2019

References: