VALE Lynn Martin
In May 2020, Henley Sharks lost one of its most outstanding members.
It is important that at this Annual General Meeting, we pause for a moment to reflect on the passing of Lynn Martin, and officially record our great thanks to Lynn for his enormous contributions to this club, to water polo in SA and to the sport generally.
Lynn was well known and respected within our community. He was a man of great integrity who made an enormous contribution to Water Polo in SA over almost 50 years as an elite player (including as captain of the SA Men’s state team) and as a key administrator (including as Water Polo SA President for 10 years) as well as many other roles in our sport, too numerous to list.
Without delving into too much detail, it began for Lynn back in the early 70’s at the old Henley pool as an eager 16 year old.
During his first period at Henley, Lynn played for the best part of 10 years – progressing through the junior ranks, to eventually playing A grade. His most notable achievements during his first stint at Henley was being a member of the A grade team that won 3 A grade premierships in a row. During this time he was twice awarded the A grade men’s most valuable player.
During this time he also played state water polo, captaining the side on many occasions. When Henley could no longer form an A grade side, he had a few stints at other clubs being awarded the A grade association best and fairest medal in 84-85 whilst playing for Prospect before settling at Adelaide Vikings where in later years he was also awarded the B grade association best & fairest medal 2 seasons.
In 1999 it looked as though Henley would not be able to field an A grade team, and it looked like being only a 2 team A grade comprising of Vikings and Tritons. So Lynn decided he would transfer back from Vikings to his original home at Henley, and brought his 4 sons (all of whom played water polo) with him. This move was significant and enabled Henley to maintain an A grade side.
From then, Lynn would be a Henley member for the rest of his life, and volunteered countless hours of his time to coaching and managing both club & state sides, serving for many years on both the Henley and SA Water Polo boards, and most notably he served as SA Water Polo president for 10 years.
Whilst Association President, Lynn was instrumental in securing water polo to be a part of SASI, he helped keep the Adelaide Jets men’s team from folding when it was at a low ebb, and was the main catalyst for getting the inaugural Adelaide Jets women’s team off the ground. He was also the President at the time it was decided to make the sport in SA more professional in its approach, and appointed the first ever paid CEO of SA water polo.
Lynn was honoured with Life membership at Adelaide Vikings water polo club, and life membership of SA Water Polo for his tremendous contribution to those organisations. And of course, in 2015 he was appointed a life member of Henley Sharks for his enormous contributions to this club.
Through his time in water polo, Lynn was the epitome of someone who wouldn’t just take from the sport that allowed him so many wonderful opportunities, but would tirelessly give back to his sport.
The Henley Water Polo Club has benefitted enormously from Lynn’s efforts over nearly 50 years as a player, coach, manager, committee member, and SA Water Polo president.
Lynn was known and respected by everyone in the sport, both here in South Australia, and across the nation.
We will all miss a great leader, a great player, a great club man, and most importantly, a great person.
Vale Lynn Martin.
