Athletics coach Scott Goldsmith fights ‘confidential’ life ban by Athletics Tasmania

A coach who copped an Athletics Tasmania life ban is fighting to clear his name, revealing ‘an ongoing dispute’ between he and another high-profile coach led to his ousting. READ HIS LETTER

A TASMANIAN athletics coach is on a mission to clear his name after receiving a life ban from Athletics Tasmania for “confidential” reasons.

Following a Mercury inquiry, an email was sent by Athletics Tasmania (AT) to all members on April 29 announcing Scott Goldsmith’s AT membership was revoked in March.

Mr Goldsmith is perhaps best known in Tasmanian athletics for his work coaching successful Hobart para-athlete Sam Walker.

In the letter, AT chair Alec Eiszele said Athletics Australia had cancelled Mr Goldsmith’s coaching accreditation and associated insurance.

“This has occurred following an independent investigation in relation to breaches of AT policies, the details of which are confidential,” the email read.

“We note that Athletics Australia has been involved throughout the process, support this decision and have revoked his accreditation on conducting their own investigation.

“From 30 March 2020, Scott is no longer able to engage in activity where he identifies himself as a coach holding Athletics Australia accreditation.”

Athletics coach Scott Goldsmith gives athlete Vandy Kanneh an emotional hug after he won the Bikes and Spikes men’s gift at New Town.

Mr Eiszele said the AT board made the decision after considering a “significant amount of information and after seeking external advice”.

“The AT board takes the protection of our members very seriously and will not tolerate breaches of our member protection policy,” his email said.

Mr Goldsmith responded with a letter addressed to the presidents of Tasmania’s athletics clubs, saying he feared the vagueness of the announcement of his ban would discredit his character and integrity.

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He claimed the cause of his ban was due to a dispute between himself and Tasmanian Institute of Sport athletics coach, Olympian and Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame inductee, Susan Andrews.

“You have not been informed of the reasons for the ban,” Mr Goldsmith wrote in his letter.

“I have not engaged in any illegal activity whatsoever in any way and I have been banned from athletics because of an ongoing difference of opinion on ethical and moral issues, and a difference of values in managing, running and coaching athletics.

“This has resulted in an ongoing dispute between myself and Susan Andrews and the executive officer of AT, Gabby Steele, neither who appreciate me questioning certain situations that occur in our sport.”

TRACK STAR SUSAN ANDREWS BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Dual Olympian and Tasmanian Institute of Sport athletics coach Susan Andrews. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Goldsmith has filed a 17-page complaint against Ms Andrews with the Department of Sport and Recreation, which is being assessed by the Department of Communities Tasmania’s Communities, Sport and Recreation deputy secretary.

Mr Goldsmith told the Mercury the department was attempting to mediate the relationship between the feuding coaches and was looking at options for his coaching accreditation to be reinstated by Athletics Australia.

But, a Department of Communities spokesperson said it has no involvement in any AT or Athletics Australia processes in regards to Mr Goldsmith’s accreditation.

They confirmed “initial discussions” had been held with Mr Goldsmith about his concerns regarding a staff member of the Department of Sport and Recreation, and work was being done to address them.

Ms Andrews declined to comment.