Territorians safety number 1 priority for Swimming NT

After a scandal-filled 2023 saw Swim Aus thrown into disrepair, leading to updated policies, Swimming NT CEO Warren Dopson has spoken out. Read how the changes may affect Territorians.

It has been a tumultuous and scandal-filled 12 months for Swimming Australia with ramifications felt across the country.

After avoiding expulsion from World Aquatics in October last year, and following bombshell accusations of widespread bullying and abuse, Swim Aus alongside Sporting Integrity Australia introduced updated policies and frameworks.

Following one of the Territory’s best years to date that saw hundreds of NT records broken across the season, Swimming NT are determined to continue their development in and out of the water.

“It’s my understanding that there aren’t any systemic issues whatsoever within SwimNT,” Swimming Northern Territory chief executive Warren Dopson said.

“That doesn’t mean there are not some issues but I do not believe there are any issues here.

“The most important thing is that our members, swimmers and nonswimmers, feel safe and are safe.”

The framework, which came into effect on January 1 put an emphasis on member’s welfare and cracking down on illegal behaviours.

“With the updated integrity framework in response to the ‘swimming-abuse report’, we (Swim NT) will continue to educate and assist our members the best we can,” Dopson said.

“The updates in the framework have been made far more clear compared to recent frameworks.

“We are committed to fostering an inclusive and safe environment and will also hold ourselves at an administration level to account.

“Ensuring that regardless of your position, you must adhere to not just the national firework but our own codes of conduct also.”