'Swimming Australia' divides the leadership pie - HURRAY!

Incredibly smart decision on the part of Swimming Australia to break the General Manager of High Performance position and the Head Coach duties into two separate departments. To do so avoids conflict of interest issues such as swimsuit policy and private/secret endorsement deals.

TYR is suing over USA Swimming, Coach Mark, Schubert and Speedo over the same nonsense Swimming Australia wants to avoid. I think Swimming Australia had the foresight or the ability to look around the corner so to speak and do what is necessary to build the best team they can that is free free from corrupting influences. To so will probably take them to the next level and the US should take note.

From Swimming World:

Swimming Australia CEO Kevin Neil said the decision to re-structure the High Performance unit, which involves changes to the role and responsibilities of the Head Coach, are crucial and have been made for the good of the sport and its future success.

"A full review of the High Performance unit was conducted by the SAL Board at which point a recommendation was made to split the roles of General Manager for High Performance and that of the Head Coach, and Alan is not prepared to work under this new structure."

"Swimming is a sport that prides itself on professionalism, hard work and success, and to continue to maintain and develop those values at all levels, we believe this new structure is the best way forward."

Leigh Nugent has been appointed as the acting Head Coach of the Australian swim team, while David Crocker, who has been on secondment from the Australian Sports Commission since December, is currently acting in the role of General Manager for High Performance.

Swimming Australia will advertise for the positions of both the General Manager of High Performance and Head Coach in the near future.

Separately, the independent investigation being conducted by Louise Donohoe SC is continuing with all findings to be presented to SAL upon its completion and appropriately addressed at that time.

[Link]

Thompson should not have been such a "baby" in public about this decision, especially while he is still under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior.