Patrice Coste, LEN Executive Director, has announced that, “LEN has appointed a new Water Polo Director – Renato Zivkovic, and new Water Polo Manager – Dejan Perisic. They are two members of the LEN water polo family who have been working within our wonderful sport for many decades.  Firstly they had fine playing careers before taking up different management roles in the water polo community.

“Their professionalism, expertise and vast experience has already benefitted European Aquatics, but having them on board as members of the LEN Staff means that the quality of services LEN offers for the Member Federations and clubs should be greatly enhanced.

“Renato will be working full time for LEN while Dejan has a part-time role that will allow him to continue as secretary of the Technical Water Polo Committee.

“Renato was the General Secretary of the Croatian Water Polo Federation for 16 years and during his tenure the federation grew and enjoyed never-seen successes both in and outside of the pool.

“During those decades, a golden era of Croatian water polo began, while the Federation was busy with organising major events including two European Water Polo Championships in 2010 and most recently in 2022. Both were outstanding and we are all aware that Renato was the key to delivering these championships at the highest level.

“Similarly to Renato, Dejan also worked as General Secretary of the Serbian Water Polo Federation, for seven years, helping to organise several major events, and he has also been part of the LEN water polo movement since 2004.

“For twelve years he served the sport as member of the TWPC, then in the past six years he was the Secretary of that committee. In this capacity, together with the Chair and Vice-Chair, he has been doing a lot to raise the level of officiating significantly and also contributed a great deal to present the sport in a much better way to the general public.

“Trusting these two outstanding professionals with running and overseeing LEN water polo activities should mark the start of a new chapter, if not era, where aquatics’ team sport can hit new heights and achieve significant gains at the sport market in reach, engagement and popularity.

“This leadership team will be ably supported by another LEN member of staff, Elisabetta Cecchet, an active water polo player, who has been tasked with managing development of LEN’s women water polo events.”