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Swimming New Zealand to embark on High Performance change

Swimming New Zealand has established a committee to review the structure and environment of its High Performance programme.

SPARC initiated an independent review of the programme carried out by former NZ Sports Foundation CEO, Chris Ineson.

The Board of Swimming New Zealand fully accepts the report’s five recommendations and will move with urgency on delivery given the London Olympics are 13 months away. Accordingly the major focus of the committee will be on ensuring that the swimmers are given every chance of success in the water at next year’s London Olympics.

In line with the report’s recommendations, Swimming New Zealand has established a High Performance Committee to be headed by Board deputy chair Ross Butler and includes Board member and former Olympian Alison Fitch and SPARC advisor to the Board Nelson Cull. Two further independent members will be appointed after consultation with SPARC.

Final terms of reference for this committee have yet to be determined but will include the review of the structure and roles within the High Performance area, appoint a person to lead the swimmers’ campaign to achieve success in London and provision of additional resource to complement and support the Olympic campaign. Additionally it will consider the other matters identified in the review as soon as is practicable.

Swimming New Zealand Chairman, Murray Coulter said he welcomed the review which also considered other aspects of Swimming New Zealand operations, governance and leadership.

“We always said we will work closely with SPARC to improve what we do. We fully accept the report’s recommendations and take the findings on the chin.”

In this respect a number of these findings have already been addressed by Swimming New Zealand as part of its grassroots organization review, Project Vanguard, and by new initiatives already being developed in the High Performance programme, Mr Coulter said.

Mr Coulter said Swimming New Zealand would not pre-empt the timing or the outcome of the review of future staffing and roles.

“We will move with expedience. The priority is our London campaign and the support for our swimmers who are about to compete in their final world championships before London. We want to give our swimmers and coaches the best possible support and leave no stone unturned for them to be successful.”

The committee will begin its review process this weekend.

Click here for the full report from the independent review