Alan Bircher Suspended by Swim England After Investigation Into Allegations Of ‘Toxic Culture’ At Ellesmere College

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Alan Bircher, the former coach of world, European and Commonwealth medallist Freya Anderson, has been suspended by Swim England following a 12-month investigation into allegations of a toxic culture at Ellesmere College.

Bircher, a British open water international in his own swimming days who won world silver in 2004, guided Anderson from her mid-teens until she moved to train with Dave McNulty at the National Training Centre Bath last spring.

Ellesmere also numbers Cassie Wild and Hector Pardoe – both of whom are competing in Tokyo – among its alumni.

However, according to a report in The Guardian, an investigation heard allegations of bullying, fat-shaming, the flouting of Covid restrictions and a failure to report safeguarding concerns at the elite swimming club he ran.

Bircher wasn’t among the British coaching team in Tokyo so reports of him being axed are inaccurate.

However, his future is precarious with another unnamed coach also suspended although Swim England said coaches Amanda Wetherell and Mark Southward were not implicated.

British Swimming and Swim England released a joint statement to Swimming World, which read:

“Swim England was extremely concerned to receive notification of welfare issues from parents of swimmers in Ellesmere College Titans Swimming Club and on receipt of these notifications instigated a thorough independent review, which was conducted in partnership with the relevant Statutory Agency and the Local Authority Designated Officer.

“The report identified welfare and governance issues and immediately the review was concluded, Swim England implemented all the recommendations in the report to ensure a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone in the club.

“This involved a complete change of the governance structure of the club and Swim England Officers working alongside members to put in place a revised structure and procedures.  An independent welfare officer is supporting the club and as some of the programme coaches are currently suspended, coaching support has been secured for the programme, overseen by an experienced Swim England Talent Coach.

“Swim England will remain working with the club until such time as we are content our robust safeguarding and welfare procedures and policies are embedded within the governance of the club.  The suspended coaching staff will not return to the programme until such time as all conditions set out in the report have been met to the satisfaction of Swim England.”


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Andrei Vorontsov
Andrei Vorontsov
2 years ago

Very often a “Toxic Culture” created not by the coach but by overzealous “toxic parents” of those young swimmers who lost interest in sport due to a lack of progress or own laziness.

Anonymous Parent
Anonymous Parent
2 years ago

We have first hand knowledge that the reports and complaints were spearheaded by disgruntled parents of ex members who just were not quite cut out to be elite athletes. An investigation into any club by SE would find issues. The SE safeguarding handbook which boasts over 100 pages can be used agains a coach in a number of ways. For example, a coach is not to have communication with athletes – I mean in what real world do elite athletes not contact their coaches with questions or queries about training or time tables. These are the safeguarding issues that were being investigated not anything more serious. The children who have not completed the program or progressed find every reason or excuse as to why. And parents who were not able to bully their way have decided to take the coaches and the club on technicalities. None of the current members would agree with any of the allegations, but that would not make good press. Our athletes are ranked amongst the too in the country. Weighing swimmers is part of the science behind the sport, as is taking height and wingspan. As is nutrition and education. These are not fat shaming tactics. An elite club is not about participation awards. There are other clubs for that. The swimmers at the Titans are there for one reason only. They have ambitions to be the best. To get to top universities and even the Olympics. The coaches were targeted maliciously, and it is unfortunate. Sources can confirm that the complainants are intent on trying to close the club all together, having even tried to take on the college. I’m not saying that there are things that could be done better, they will be in future, but it’s a scary world when one person can manipulate, lie and cause so much damage because he/she felt like it. There are many of us who know the truth.

Kim Longland
Kim Longland
2 years ago

Fully support both opinions above.

Whilst welfare must be paramount in how we operate our sport and success must not be at any cost where is the welfare support for coaches?

Too many coaches are being pilloried just for doing their job by unrealistic parents who need some one to blame for their own child’s failings! There is a bullying culture in sport by some parent’s against many coaches and it’s about time this issue is addressed.

These few just end up spoiling, what is a great experience for many swimmers and parents who are totally happy and satisfied with the actions and commitment of their coach!

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