Water Polo Canada Announces 2025–2026 Board of Directors

Ottawa, ON – Water Polo Canada (WPC) is pleased to announce the newly elected Board of Directors and Officers for the 2025–2026 term. 

The 2025-2026 Board reflects WPC’s ongoing commitment to strong governance, diversity, and strategic leadership in advancing water polo across Canada. Incumbents Adam Deffett (ON) and Christina Skinner (ON) were re-elected to the board; and were joined by newly elected directors James Profit (PEI) and Benjamin Young (BC). 

James Profit is a lawyer from Prince Edward Island with expertise in governance, risk management, policy development, and dispute resolution. A former water polo player at Dalhousie University, he also played a key role in founding PEI’s only water polo club. 

Ben Young brings legal expertise from both the United States and Canada and has been a valued contributor to Water Polo Canada’s Governance Committee as a non-Board Member. First introduced to the sport during his university years, he now enjoys water polo through the involvement of his two young children. 

The Board convened for the first time on October 16, 2025, following the Annual Meeting held on September 22, 2025. During this initial session, the Board re-elected Kathleen Dawson as President and elected Christina Skinner as Vice President.  At this same meeting, the Board committee and liaison positions were also appointed; the list of Committees is available the WPC website. 

The following individuals will serve on the Board for the 2025-2026 year: 

• Kathleen Dawson (MB) – President (term ends 2027) 
• Christina Skinner (ON) – Vice President (term ends 2028) 
• Susan Cameron (SK) – Director (term ends 2027) 
• Adam Deffett (ON) – Director (term ends 2026) 
• Gaelan Patterson (AB) – Athlete Representative Director (term ends 2027) 
• James Profit (PE) – Director (term ends 2028) 
• Kyam Schell-Schnitzer (ON) – Director (term ends 2026) 
• Benjamin Young (BC) – Director (term ends 2028) 
• Nic Youngblud (AB) – Director (term ends 2026) 

“We are excited to welcome this dynamic group of leaders to the Board,” said Jasmine Northcott, CEO of Water Polo Canada. “Their collective expertise and passion for sport will be instrumental in guiding our strategic priorities and fostering growth at all levels of water polo in Canada.” 

Water Polo Canada thanks outgoing board members Catherine Code and Christine Preece for their service and dedication to the sport and wishes them all the best in their future endeavors. 

- 30 -

Information:

communications@waterpolo.ca