Apology follows report
SWIMMING Australia has issued an “unreserved apology” for the way women and girls have been treated in the past after receiving the results of a six-month independent investigation, which included accounts that were “difficult to read”.
The sporting body has now received the report and recommendations from the independent review that was commissioned in June last year after a number of female swimmers spoke out.
“The feedback was open and frank and there were experiences recounted that were difficult to read,” it said in a statement.
“We want to reassure those who came forward that the sport is committed to change to ensure these negative experiences are not repeated and apologise unreservedly to those impacted.”
The investigation heard from more than 150 participants in the sport, including former and current athletes, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators.
Swimming Australia said the full report would remain confidential, but released the full list of 46 recommendations made by the panel. One of those recommendations was that Swimming Australia “strongly considers publicly releasing this report in full”.
The independent panel was made up of high-profile barrister Chris Ronalds, former track and road cyclist Katherine Bates and Alex Parker, the executive director at the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University.
“Swimming Australia commits to addressing each and every recommendation from the independent panel report,” it said.
“Broadly, the review found that Swimming Australia must address the coaching gender imbalance, coaching culture, education and accreditation, governance structures, and the complaints process.
“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.”
Swimming Australia president Kieren Perkins said the board was “committed to leading the organisation through this process of positive cultural change”.
An independent steering group to address the recommendations will be made up of eight people, including Swimming Australia directors Michelle Gallen and Sally Howe.
Last year, Olympic swimmer Maddie Groves alleged she was molested between the ages of 13 and 18 by a man still involved in the sport.
She told ABC’s 7.30 she felt there was no one she could tell about the alleged abuse.
Groves also made allegations that another person involved with swimming had “manhandled” her, and another touched her on the back and arm inappropriately.