Churchie Swim Club coaches sacked, school slammed
An Aussie swimming star and his mother have slammed the axing of Churchie Swim Club’s top coaches, saying the move is akin to a death in the family. READ THE FULL LETTER
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An Australian swimming star and his mother have slammed the axing of Churchie Swim Club’s top coaches, saying the move by Anglican Church Grammar School is akin to a death in the family.
Thomas Pattison, 18, and his mother Gabrielle say they are disgusted by the elite school’s appointment of Rackley Swim Team, resulting in the exit of high-performing head coach Richard Sleight and assistant head coach Liam Smith.
READ THE LETTER IN FULL BELOW >>>
The Churchie Swim Club committee and its national and state squads have all quit in protest, with swimmers joining other clubs including St Peter’s, Brisbane Grammar, Somerville House and Nudgee.
In an open letter to Anglican Church Grammar (Churchie) on Thursday, January 9, Mrs Pattison says her son is ashamed to be associated with the school.
She warns the alarming impact of swimmers “being ripped apart from each other and starting fresh at new clubs” will harm not only their mental and emotional wellbeing but also potentially their athletic performance.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves, knowing you’ve ruined such a beautiful thing and jeopardised the futures of swimmers with such high potential,” Ms Pattison writes.
She says the appointment of Sleight and Smith in late 2023 was “exactly what the club needed” following the “really disruptive” matter concerning former coach Ben Allen.
Benjamin James David Allen was convicted of one count of sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in 2022.
“The (Churchie Swim Club) families have shared the highest of highs and lowest of lows while supporting our swimmers,” Ms Pattison writes.
“To think that we will never cheer as a Churchie crew again has brought many tears to my eyes. It feels like I am grieving the death of a family member.”
Thomas’s achievements in the pool include breaking the 50m butterfly national record (17 years) and coming third in the 50m butterfly at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Israel in 2023. He placed third in the medal relay at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in 2024.
“When he is representing Australia in the future, you can be sure that the name Anglican Church Grammar School will be omitted from any and all recognition of his success,” Ms Pattison writes.
“He will succeed, but not because of you, but despite you.”
On Wednesday, January 8, two days after the 2025 season began, Rackley emailed swimmers asking them to re-enrol.
The company said: “As Rackley Swimming is now managing the program, we kindly ask you to re-enrol for squad training.
“We understand this period of change may feel challenging for swimmers and their families, and we greatly appreciate the warm welcome you’ve extended to our new coaching team, Zoe Baker and Jake Buckley. They are committed to guiding athletes through this busy season as they prepare for school, regional, and national competitions.”
The Courier-Mail has contacted Churchie for comment.
kylie.lang@news.com.au
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