Bruce has had an association going back 21 years with NSW Water Polo, to 22nd November 1989 - he has now finished working with NSW Water Polo. Before Bruce started employment as Coaching Director with NSW Water Polo he was involved as a volunteer coaching NSW woman’s representative teams.
A staggering 24 teams over 14 years and nearly all teams won the tournament they played in. Bruce was a very understanding and knowledgeable coach and was able to readily empathise with his charges to bring out the best in them.
Bruce was responsible to the development of the NSWWPI Coach Education Program and drew on a vast range of resources when presenting the course. Feedback received from participants of courses conducted by Bruce was always positive, with the new coaches inoculated with an appreciation that the game of Water Polo is for the player’s enjoyment. Since AWPI has developed the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme Bruce has presented this course with the same passion he has always held for the sport. At international level as a coach Bruce excelled, coaching the Australian Junior women’s team over a thirteen-year period. The results were;
1995 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Saint Fe 2nd Place
1997 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Prague 2nd Place Messina
2001 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Perth 2rd Place Calgary
2005 FINA Junior Women's World Championships Perth 3rd Place Porto 1st Place (unable to attend because of a leg injury)
Appointed to the position for 2009 but ultimately withdrew himself on health grounds.
In all that time Bruce lost about 6 games only as an Australian Coach, a remarkable achievement in the international arena. Bruce was remarkable for spotting talent and developing athletes through the junior ranks into senior National Teams and his knowledge of the game and scouting of opposition teams could not be faulted.
New South Wales Water Polo and Australian Water Polo wish Bruce every success with his future endeavours.
Bruce intends to keep himself involved with the sport, especially coaching his beloved Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.