Bob Haston had a long career as a water polo goalkeeper with his home-town club, Leith Swimming Club and later with the Carnegie SC. He made his Scotland international début against England in 1912, and won 14 caps between then and his retirement in 1931.
Haston had been involved with the administrative side of the sport and was president of the Eastern Counties division of the Scottish ASA in 1929-30. After his playing days, Haston took up refereeing and was a goal judge in five matches at the1948 London Olympics, which made up for him being a non-starter in the Great Britain team at Paris in 1924. Haston was also involved with coaching divers, including the 1930s East of Scotland champion Anita Buchanan. He also coached members of the Leith SC.