Matthew Byrnes

Matthew Byrnes from Cronulla spent his teenage years playing water polo before joining the UNSW Wests Magpies, where won the Australian Water Polo League (AWPL) in both 2019 and 2022. 

Aged 18, Matthew got his first taste of international water polo when he represented Australia at the FINA Men's Junior Water Polo Championships in 2019, finishing eleventh in the tournament.

Post pandemic in July 2022, Matthew made his debut for the Aussie Sharks, playing against reigning world champions Spain at the FINA World League Super Final in France. Matthew was the 250th player to represent the Aussie Sharks.

In 2023, Matthew cemented himself in the Australian setup, competing in both the World Cup and World Championships, making six appearances.

It was also in 2023 that Matthew signed for Spanish water polo club CN Sant Andreu, where he continues to play.

In early 2024, Matthew competed again for the Sharks at the World Championships, finishing in 11th place.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics Matthew and the Sharks recorded statement wins over defending Olympic champion Serbia, host nation France and Hungary in the group stage.

Finishing second in their group, it gave Australia a place in the men's Olympic quarter-finals for the first time since London 2012.

A penalty-shootout loss to the USA in the quarter-finals sent the Sharks into the 5th-8th classification games and they came away in 8th place, up from the team's 9th overall placing at Tokyo 2020.

Out of the pool, Matthew spends his time coaching in Sydney.