Swimming New Zealand CEO Resigns Amid Unfavorable Review of Organization

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, May 25. MIKE Byrne, the CEO of Swimming New Zealand, submitted his resignation today as the organization continues to recover from an unfavorable review from a third-party committee that suggested a complete overhaul of the federation.

Byrne's resignation, announced yesterday in a press release from Swimming New Zealand, is the latest shake-up in a two-year ordeal that has seen other resignations and the surprising retirement of butterflyer Moss Burmester over a lack of faith in the federation's operations.

An independent review released last week painted an unfavorable picture of Swimming New Zealand, recommending a completely new board of directors and urging Byrne to step down. Media reports from New Zealand on May 18 had suggested that Byrne had voluntarily cleaned out his office upon release of the report, but Byrne said in a statement that he had no intentions of leaving the post.

The review was Swimming New Zealand's third in four years. The last review, released in June, prompted the resignation of high performance manager Jan Cameron after it was suggested her department was not helping swimmers. And shortly after the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Olympic butterflyer Moss Burmester retired when he felt the organization was not working in the best interest of the athletes.

Mark O'Connor, the general manager of operations, will take over as head of Swimming New Zealand in the interim as the country prepares to send about a dozen swimmers to the Olympics.

Full text of the Swimming New Zealand press release:

“It is with regret that Mike Byrne has today announced his resignation from Swimming New Zealand.

“Although Mike has reservations with the draft findings of the Working Group, he has chosen to resign to enable Swimming New Zealand to be able to move forward productively.

“Swimming New Zealand thanks Mike for his contribution to the organisation, including implementing significant change, salvaging Swimming New Zealand's financial position, securing the sport's first ever principal sponsor, and establishing the State Kiwi Swim Safe learn to swim programme, which has seen a significant number of primary school children learn to swim.

“We wish Mike the very best for his future endeavours. For the moment all operational matters should be referred to Mark O'Connor, GM Operations.

“Swimming New Zealand will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

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