Alexia Kammenou will break new ground in Greek water polo after joining the Apollon Smyrnis men’s team for the 2026-27 season.
The former Greece women’s national team coach has been appointed as assistant to head coach Theo Lorantos and will also serve as the team manager.
According to Apollon, Kammenou becomes the first woman in the history of the Greek Men’s A1 league to take on such a significant combined role.
Her appointment represents an important moment for women working within the men’s game. Although female coaches and officials have held influential positions across women’s water polo, opportunities at the highest level of men’s club competition remain extremely limited.
Kammenou will now be directly involved in the sporting and organisational work of a men’s team with ambitions of competing strongly both domestically and in Europe.
Lorantos reportedly recommended her appointment to the club’s leadership, with Apollon recognising the experience and alternative perspective she can bring to the team.
“A woman in a male-dominated environment is certainly something different, but for me nothing changes,” Kammenou said.
“My respect, willingness to cooperate and love for the athletes are a given. I know the responsibility I am taking on and I am coming to Apollon with great enthusiasm to fulfil my role.”
Kammenou is one of the most accomplished coaches in Greek women’s water polo. She led Vouliagmeni to consecutive Champions League titles in 2010 and 2011 and also won two European Super Cups.
She later guided Greece to silver at the 2022 European Championship before securing bronze and Olympic qualification at the 2024 European Championship in Eindhoven. That result returned the Greek women’s team to the Olympic Games for the first time in 16 years.
Her move into the Apollon men’s structure begins a new chapter in an already distinguished career.
More importantly, it creates a visible pathway for other female coaches and professionals seeking opportunities in elite men’s water polo. Kammenou’s appointment will therefore be watched not only for what it means for Apollon’s season, but also for its wider significance across the sport.
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