Damning Claims: Swimming Australia Stakeholders Demanding Review
A damning investigative report by News Corp Australia has claimed that Swimming Australia “is on the brink of mutiny” with its stakeholders sending a confidential letter to the sport’s governing body requesting an urgent and independent review into the way the sport is being run.
The News Corp report by Olympics reporter Julien Linden makes claims of a deep unrest that exists within the Swimming Australia stakeholders – just weeks after the sudden demise of president, US Olympic legend Tracy Stockwell (Caulkins).
Stockwell was voted off the SA board by a disgruntled stakeholders group, the vote against her, also robbing Stockwell of the presidency, a role she had taken on diligently after the resignation of Olympic legend Kieren Perkins – to take on the role as CEO of Sport Australia.
The News Corp report claimed the sport is on the brink of mutiny over an ongoing power struggle that’s trickled down from the highest levels right to the grassroots.
“The relationship between the current leadership of Swimming Australia (SA) and the sport’s key stakeholders has hit rock bottom, plunging the sport to the verge of a full-blown revolt,”the story claims.
Swimming Australia confirmed to News Corp that it received a letter signed by every State Association, the Northern Territory, Swimming Coaches And Teachers Australia and the Australian Swimmers Association.
Newly elected Swimming Australia president Michelle Gallen confirming to Julien Linden that the governing body of Australia’s most successful Olympic sport had received the confidential letter “requesting an urgent and independent review into the way the sport is being run.”
“Our States all have such diverse needs and diverse memberships. It is their job to advocate for what is in their best interests, and it is our job to govern in the best interest of the sport as a whole, so there will inevitably be some natural tensions in that relationship,” said Gallen.
“We remain absolutely committed to open and honest dialogue with all our stakeholders to address any challenges, while at the same time ensuring we continue to work together to ensure we propel our sport forward during this decade of immense opportunity.”
News Corp reported that “stakeholders have lost faith in the SA leadership and want drastic changes to save the sport from what they consider to be further ruin.
“It is our view the current culture and behaviours from the Swimming Australia executive do not align with stated values and strategic objectives,” the explosive letter says.
The simmering tensions within Swimming Australia have hit boiling point.
The report said: “As previously disclosed by News Corp, some of the biggest movers and shakers in the sport – all speaking on the condition of anonymity because they fear repercussions for going public – have expressed major reservations about the leadership style of new CEO Eugenie Buckley who took over from Alex Baumann when he stepped down suddenly last year.
“Buckley was previously in charge of Netball Queensland. She was hired initially by SA on an interim period then given the full time role on January 1 this year despite some board members apparently unaware she was being sued by a director at her former job.
“University professor Marie Kavanagh commenced legal action against Buckley, Netball Queensland and its company secretary and general manager of corporate services, Ana Croger, for allegedly defaming her. The case is ongoing.”
The News Corp report claims that “the blow-up is yet further proof of the deepening divisions within Australia’s most reliable medal-producing Olympic sport.
“Spin doctors have been telling everyone things are just swell because the team keeps winning so many medals, but the rifts have raised alarm bells with both national and international sporting bodies.
“Exasperated stakeholders have run out of patience and it was only as a last resort that they called for an urgent face-to-face meeting with board members….
“It’s understood no one wanted to divert attention from the competition but the situation is so critical that stakeholders are unable to remain silent any longer — even if it means airing the sport’s dirty laundry in front of the entire swimming world.
“Gallen said the meeting would go ahead during the Fina World Short Course Championships in Melbourne (December 13-18).
“A high-level hook-up took place this week after Buckley sent a bombshell memo to all the States and Territories notifying them that their participation growth funding was being slashed in half for the next financial year.
“That was the last straw, according to the many disgruntled individuals — that include not only administrators, but also coaches, swimmers and even parents.
“There have always been feuds bubbling under the surface but long-time insiders say they have never seen the sport as split as it is right now with simmering tensions at boiling point.
“The funding cuts to developing programs are just the tip of the iceberg because there are broader concerns that the opportunity to safeguard the sport’s long-time future on the runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics is being squandered.
“Although the Dolphins cleaned up at the Tokyo Olympics, the record nine gold medals that were won can’t mask the problems outside of the pool.”
You speak up and you get sued. It’s a big gravy train until 2032 with no accountability until then. You get to a stage where you have to go to Queensland to get to the next level. The other states are failing.
About time…let’s hope that they shake up all state associations while they are at it…