Swimming Australia Issues Independent Review Report; Apologizes To Women Affected Through the Years

Aug 1, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Australia relay team of Kaylee McKeown (AUS), Chelsea Hodges (AUS), Emma McKeon (AUS) and Cate Campbell (AUS) during the medals ceremony for the women's 4x100m medley relay during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Swimming Australia (SAL) has today apologized unreservedly to those women and girls impacted by negative experiences in the sport following the findings handed down in a detailed independent report.

In June 2021, the sport’s governing body appointed an independent panel to explore and better understand the experiences of females, totaling 60 percent of a six million participant base. A total of 46 recommendations were identified by the Independent Panel and Swimming Australia is committed to addressing each and every recommendation from the Independent Panel report.

The report also identified issues that affect athlete experiences and wellbeing at all levels of the sport, including a fear and pressure to perform, speaking out, and more broadly, control and the coaching culture.

In a statement issued today, Swimming Australia said it has acknowledged that, particularly for young female athletes, some of their experiences have had longer term impacts.

“Swimming Australia unreservedly apologizes to those members of the swimming community who have had a negative experience,” the statement said.

“The comprehensive, six-month review involved more than 150 participants spanning former and current athletes, parents, coaches, technical officials, volunteers and administrators.

“In the interests of transparency and accountability, the full list of recommendations is available here and will remain on the Swimming Australia website and be updated as progress is made in each of the areas. Swimming Australia considers that the report and recommendations will provide a strong roadmap for the organization to improve across all five key themes identified in the report.

“While a number of recommendations have highlighted areas in which Swimming Australia requires significant work, there are a number of recommendations where progress has already been made.

“These areas include Women in Performance Coaching programs, the agreement to adopt the Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework with a full suite of policies and procedures, including the independent complaint handling process, and the Female Performing Physique program that takes into consideration positive psychology, risk of disordered eating/eating disorders, positive language and culture, LEA and RED-s consequences, measurement and monitoring as part of the workshop based education program for coaches. Swimming Australia also has gender equality across its Board and senior management staff.

“An Implementation Steering Group has been tasked with the important role of addressing these recommendations. It will be chaired by Dr. Michelle Gallen (Director, Swimming Australia) and include Sally Howe (Director, Swimming Australia), Matti Clements (Acting CEO, AIS), Jason Hellwig (CEO, Swimming Victoria), Narelle Simpson (Former Australian Swimming Coach and Owner, NS Swim Schools), Greg Shaw (General Manager, Performance Support Swimming Australia) and Ellie Cole (four time Paralympian and Australian Swimmers’ Association Executive) with secretariat provided by Ana Croger (General Counsel, Swimming Australia). Some information on the members and their respective qualifications and experience is provided here.

“Swimming Australia President Kieren Perkins said the governing body was steadfast in its commitment to enact genuine change.

“The Swimming Australia Board acknowledges the ultimate collective responsibility and commitment in addressing these recommendations rests with the Board and the Executive Team in delivering and committing to meaningful and enduring change, being transparent and regaining and earning the trust of our athletes and our entire community,” Perkins said.

“The Board is committed to leading the organisation through this process of positive cultural change. They look forward to driving long term change alongside the community including the athlete cohort, participants, parents, Member Organisations, stakeholders, coaches and staff.”

“Independent Panel member, Chris Ronalds AO SC, expressed the Panel’s gratitude to all those who participated in the review and supported Swimming Australia’s path forward to meaningful change.

“We’d like to thank everyone who came forward with their submissions and gave us their time to talk through their experiences. We acknowledge their courage for agreeing to talk with us,” Ronalds AO SC said.

“We’re very encouraged after our conversation with Swimming Australia that they are committed to taking these steps towards creating positive change. We acknowledge the Swimming Australia Board and their openness in listening to our findings and creating accountability around the implementation of the recommendations to ensure the sport and all participants are in the best place moving forward.”

“The Implementation Steering Group will meet regularly to ensure each recommendation is thoroughly reviewed with a plan of action and timeline documented, with the initial meeting being scheduled for late January. They will hold the Swimming Australia Board and Executive to account for the implementation.

“With a number of the recommendations including the grassroots and junior levels of the sport, the Implementation Steering Group and Swimming Australia also look forward to working with state & territory associations, clubs, the athlete and coach community and key stakeholders at the Australian Sports Commission and Sport Integrity Australia as part of this process.

“While Swimming Australia cannot release the full report due to the confidentiality guaranteed to participants, the themes of the report are clear in the recommendations and provide public accountability for Swimming Australia’s steps forward.

“The organization appreciates that this has been a challenging time for athletes, coaches, staff and the broader community. Swimming Australia thanks everyone that has contributed and remains resolute in its commitment to continually improving the sport to ensure it is a safe and thriving environment for all participants from grassroots through to the elite level.

“Support for participants continues to be made available. If participants or any member of the swimming community would like support or to report any matters, please contact the free and confidential AIS Be Heard hotline (1800 565 965), email (aisbeheard@coreintegrity.com.au) or ais.gov.au/AISBe-Heard.”

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Darren

2 years ago

What are SAL hiding and why ? An investigation into their misogynistic culture that ‘they’ commissioned and therefor ‘they’ can decide to make as much or as little public as they see fit.

“Swimming Australia said the full report would remain confidential but it has released the entire list of 46 recommendations made by the independent panel.

One of those recommendations was that Swimming Australia “strongly considers publicly releasing this report in full”.”

says it all really … just a repeat of the 2012 Bluestone Report

This isn’t journalism … this is nothing more than a regurgitated SAL PR statement. Shameful & lazy journalism swimmingworld on such an important issue.