Swimming NZ Board Concerned Regions Acting Without Mandate of Clubs

The Board of Swimming New Zealand believes that the organisation is at a crossroads and a dissident few are acting without mandate to steer the sport into dangerous waters.

The Board has highlighted that the coalition of regions that requested all directors of the Board to resign was initiated without the clear mandate of clubs.

At the core of the issue is Project Vanguard, a Board-led initiative that aims to bring the organisation and operations into the 21st century with a focus on clubs rather than the antiquated regional structure that is outmoded.

The Chairman of Swimming New Zealand, Murray Coulter, said that change must come and that vibrant, healthy and viable clubs is the key to the future of the sport.

However Mr Coulter said, while he would like to play a part in these changes, that his continued role as Chairman of the Board is acting as an impediment and he has today advised he will not stand for re-election at the AGM and will stand down immediately to allow the AGM the best chance of moving the organisation forward positively.

“I am very distressed at the personal attacks our staff and Board are currently enduring. I am proud of the professional way each has responded, most especially our dedicated and hard working staff. If I remain I will damage our sport and I am not prepared to do that,” Mr Coulter said.

“These attacks mean that a small number of people are bringing our sport into disrepute. I hope my standing down will help us move past the negativity and help begin the process of change we know that our sport desperately needs.”

The Board believes remits to this month’s Annual General Meeting, aimed at removing the powers of the Board, will lead to a lack of confidence in the stability of governance that will also affect the confidence of key stakeholders and funders.

“Should the organisation not stabilise its governance function then it will become truly ungovernable. I do not want that for our members be they learning to swim, aiming for the London podium or working and volunteering as coaches, officials or staff in our great sport.”