SWIMMING: It has been a significant day for swimming with the release of two reports commissioned after the London Olympics. Swimming Australia outlined the findings from its own review into the culture and leadership within the sport, and The Hon. Warwick Smith AM and his panel handed down their Independent Review of Swimming.

Here are the responses from Swimming Australia and the Australian Sports Commission:

 

Swimming Australia to embrace review recommendations

Swimming Australia has today welcomed the release of the Independent Review of Swimming handed down by, the Hon. Warwick Smith AM and his panel, and also outlined the findings from its own review into the culture and leadership within the sport.

Following months of reflection and review since London 2012, which has already seen considerable change within the sport, the Swimming Australia board will now look to prioritise and categorise the recommendations to come out of the two reports.

Swimming Australia President Barclay Nettlefold said the completion of both reviews will further aid the change and new direction for the sport, which is already well underway following last month’s successful BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series in Perth and the National Event Camp involving more than 150 athletes, coaches and support staff on the Gold Coast.

Nettlefold said the sport and the EnergyAustralia Swim Team has already started to reconnect with the Australian public and more particularly the swimming community.

“We know sport is a challenging environment by nature, and there is no doubt this has been a challenging time for all of us,” said Nettlefold.

“It’s been a time of reflection and review, and a time to be honest and open about how we can make the right steps towards future success.”

Both the Independent Review of Swimming and Bluestone Review into culture and leadership detail a series of recommendations to improve key areas around performance, discipline, culture, coaching, athlete management, team and organisational leadership and governance.

“We’ve been proactive and work has already started on the majority of the recommendations in these reports, including the introduction of a High Performance Director and an Ethical framework,” said Nettlefold.

“The board will now implement a 100 day plan to further address the recommendations in both reviews.”

“The underlying message from these two reviews is that we all have to be accountable for the future success of swimming in Australia and that starts with discipline and setting the right standards of behaviour from the top down.”

“The establishment of an Integrity Panel will look at specific incidents discussed in the reviews and address them in isolation, and in accordance with the Swimming Australia Team Agreements and disciplinary procedures available.”

“Swimming has a proud history in this country and everyone in the sport wants to maintain and improve on the credibility and integrity which has developed over more than a century of success.”

“Before we look at winning gold medals, we want to win back the admiration of the nation, and we want to engage with our swimming community like never before at every level.”

In addition to the Integrity Panel looking into disciplinary matters, the Swimming Australia board will now look to prioritise and categorise further recommendations from both reviews, as part of the re-development of the strategic plan for the next eight years.

ASC: Swimming review provides direction for a stronger future

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chairman Mr John Wylie AM today welcomed the final report of the Independent Swimming Review saying it will help the decision making process for future investment in sports.

“The recommendations of the review panel will be fully considered by the ASC Board. I’m encouraged by the thorough analysis of the issues which have confronted swimming and common themes in this report create opportunities for all sports to benefit from lessons learned,” said Mr Wylie.

Mr Wylie thanked the chair, the Hon. Warwick Smith AM, and his fellow panel members for their report.

The Independent Swimming Review panel received 30 submissions and met 94 individuals as part of its review into the issues around its leadership, governance and administration, culture and declining achievement on the world stage.

The CEO of the ASC, Simon Hollingsworth, recognised the recent steps taken by Swimming Australia. “The panel chair noted that Swimming Australia has already made some encouraging progress in becoming more accountable and transparent under its new leadership,” he said

“I am particularly pleased that the panel has made some clear recommendations around governance as this is an area that the ASC is placing significant focus on as part of its new strategic direction in Australia’s Winning Edge.

“Swimming Australia has already commenced recruitment for a new high performance director and has also taken steps to improve its relationship with key stakeholders like the Australian Swimmers Association.

“Swimming is an important sport to Australia and is a key contributor to the goals set out in Australia’s Winning Edge launched by the ASC last year.

“The report mentions the strengthening of investment principles of sport under the Winning Edge which means accountability, good governance and international success are pre-requisites for Government support.

“This report is a clear message to Swimming Australia to continue its reforms to enable it to return to the top table of international swimming.”

The Independent Swimming Review report is available at http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/asc_news/story_517510_independent_swimming_review