Dale Neuberger set to become next President of UANA

The following is a press release courtesy of the United States Aquatic Sports:

Colorado Springs (USA), February 9, 2015 – United States Aquatic Sports (USAS), by action of its Board of Trustees, announced today its nomination of Dale Neuburger to become the next President of Union Americana De Natacion (UANA) following the XVII Pan American Games in Toronto (CAN) in July 2015.

By virtue of UANA’s system of rotating leadership of the organization across four zones, the United States has the right to assume the presidency for the period 2015 to 2019. In leading the 41 National Federations of North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean, through the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima (PER), Neuburger and the UANA Executive Committee will be responsible for all technical preparations for the five aquatic disciplines that are contested in the Pan American Games, in addition to a host of age group and masters events held every year throughout the continent.

“United States Aquatic Sports is excited to have this opportunity to guide UANA through Dale’s leadership” said USAS President Steve McFarland  “Building upon the outstanding leadership provided by Coaracy Nunes Filho over the last four years, UANA will continue to have a significant role in aquatics worldwide. Under Dale’s stewardship, and with the collaboration of the 41 National Federations and the four regional associations, USAS promises to be an active, engaged and committed partner in UANA’s ongoing efforts to promote the development of aquatics throughout the Americas.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as President of UANA in the next four-year cycle and to continue to promote, enhance and develop our sport in the region and globally,” said Neuburger. “It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of former Presidents and colleagues, including Javier Ostos Mora, Julio Cesar Maglione, Carol Zaleski, Orban Mendoza, and Eldon Godfrey. I pledge to work diligently to develop the sport, with great emphasis on helping our UANA Member Federations grow and achieve success in international competitions.”

Neuburger is currently in his fourth consecutive term as FINA Vice President of the Americas. He is Chairman of the FINA Development Commission and Chairman of the FINA Technical Swimming Commission. He served as the Technical Delegate and Competition Director for the swimming competition in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and the 2010 and 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Neuburger has served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles within the aquatic sports, including as President of United States Aquatic Sports; President of USA Swimming; and, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He currently serves as a board member of United States Aquatic Sports, USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation.

Neuburger will be joined on the UANA Executive Committee by four-time Olympic medalist Brenda Villa, the most decorated athlete in international women’s water polo history.

“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to help grow the aquatic family in the Americas as a representative of UANA,” said Villa, “and I’m looking forward to working with Dale and the entire Executive to serve my sport internationally.

“Brenda is an outstanding ambassador for aquatics sport and our country so we couldn’t be more delighted that she is willing to serve and give back on an international stage,” said Christopher Ramsey, USA Water Polo Chief Executive Officer.

Villa was named “FINA Female Water Polo Player of the Decade” for the 2000’s for her efforts and triumphs across multiple international championship events. Brenda is a four-time Olympic medalist (Sydney 2000 – silver; Athens 2004 – bronze; Beijing 2008 – silver; and, London 2012 – gold) and World Champion (2003, 2007, 2009). After her water polo career ended, Brenda co-founded a non-profit organization, Project 2020, which strives to give access to aquatic sports to youth that would otherwise not have such access.