Swimming Australia threatened with expulsion from World Aquatics over governance issues

Swimming Australia has been threatened with expulsion from membership of the sport’s global governing body over governance issues, less than a year out from the Olympic Games.

Ariarne Titmus in the pool. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images.

Swimming Australia has been threatened with expulsion from membership of the sport’s global governing body over serious concerns about the way the sport is being run.

Swimming Australia has been contacted for comment but it is understood that the board of Swimming Australia has already met and will hold a Special General Meeting.

It also expected that the Constitution will be changed once it passed legal requirements.

It’s no secret that while Australia’s swimmers are among the best in the world, the national organisation has at times resembled a basket case, with a revolving door of leaders in recent years.

And now leaders of World Aquatics are demanding action, giving Swimming Australia 30 days to fix its constitution and governance problems or risk losing its global membership.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained copies of two confidential letters sent to Swimming Australia president Michelle Gallen this year, outlining the laundry list of problems and demands for strong changes.

World Aquatics redacted letter page 1

World Aquatics redacted letter page 2

In the second letter, dated August 7, 2023, World Aquatics warned Swimming Australia that if it failed to act within 30 days, it would implement its own “stabilisation committee” and “withdrawal of recognition of Swimming Australia as a Member of World Aquatics.”

“Swimming Australia must take steps to broaden its membership base to make it more representative and inclusive of its athletes,” the letter said.

“With this, we urgently request that you present a corrective action plan to the World Aquatics Bureau within 30 days with an aim towards completing such plan within 90 days.”

For all the success that Australia’s swimmers have had in recent years, their achievements have partly been overshadowed by the constant turbulence out of the water.

Former Swimming Australia CEO Eugenie Buckley. Picture: Michael Klein.

In the last 12 months alone, The Daily Telegraph has reported how:

• Swimming Australia’s (SA) last president, Tracy Stockwell, was secretly overthrown in a boardroom coup

• Key member organisations – including swimmers, coaches, parents and state bodies – were on the verge of mutiny after Swimming Australia slashed their funding to grassroots programs

• Eugenie Buckley quit as chief executive officer after an independent review following the complaints

The Australian swim team celebrates in Fukuoka. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images.

In the first letter sent to Swimming Australia, dated 24 April, World Aquatics expressed its dismay at the high turnover of executives.

“We do take note with great concern of what appears to be a routine exodus of individuals at this senior position (and other senior positions) within Swimming Australia,” the letter said.

“As you well know, consistency in these senior roles is not only crucial for World Aquatics to maintain meaningful and productive relationships with our national federations, but necessary for athletes, coaches and members of a federation to find confidence in senior management.

“Needless to say, we are significantly concerned by the routine disruption in these senior positions within your

federation, especially as we are now within sixteen months of the Olympic Games (Paris 2024).”

In the second letter, World Aquatics outlined more areas of concern including:

• a void in the roles of athletes in decision-making

• Swimming Australia fails to recognise World Aquatics vice president Matthew Dunn as an ex-officio member with a voting right

• Problems with Swimming Australia’s Constitution

• Apparent conflicts of interest with voting members who have commercial partnerships.

The threat of expulsion is a huge concern for the sport less than 12 months out from the Olympic Games, especially as the Dolphins swim team has only just returned to training after topping the gold medal tally at the world titles in Japan last month.