The Board of Swimming Australia has today accepted the resignation of Chief Executive, Kevin Neil.
Newly elected Swimming Australia President, Barclay Nettlefold, congratulated Neil on his four years of dedicated service.
“Under Kevin’s leadership, Swimming Australia increased its revenue by 40% and instigated several new developments such as the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series involving China and South Africa in Perth, where $500,000 is offered in prize money to swimmers,” said Mr Nettlefold.
“Kevin was also instrumental in negotiating a new broadcast deal with Network Ten, the implementation of a range of important initiatives targeted at growing the sport at a community level, and the development of an aquatic facilities strategy targeted at protecting access to water space for swimming clubs and building relationships with pool operators.”
Neil said he thoroughly enjoyed his association with Swimming Australia, which also involved a period as a Board Member prior to his appointment as CEO in 2008.
“I have witnessed great changes and seen how swimming continues to be Australia’s premier Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport. I am proud to have played a role in this development and the enhancement of the sport’s revenue base,” said Neil.
“Following the below expected results at the London Olympic Games, swimming is now undertaking various reviews to set the new course for the future and it is therefore appropriate to step aside to allow the sport to progress to its next exciting phase.”
Mr Nettlefold said Neil’s mutually agreed departure will now see the Board undertake a review of its administrative, sporting and business direction.
“As a newly elected Board, we are currently proactively examining all aspects of our sport from the grassroots to the elite level,” said Mr Nettlefold.
“One of our clear objectives is to ensure the high performance area of the sport rises to meet and exceeds the growing international competition challenges.
“We are 100 per cent committed to ensuring our elite national programs are well resourced and fully supported at every level to ensure optimum swimming performance,” he added.
“We will now examine what primary areas of expertise the new CEO is required to have to meet the immediate and long-term vision of the sport.”
Board member, Jeremy Turner, who has had vast business experience in Queensland, has agreed to serve as interim CEO until a new CEO is appointed.
Turner is Director and Principal Consultant of Momentum Consultancy Group and was Chief Financial Officer of Queensland Motorways Limited and CEO of Queensland Racing.
Mr Nettlefold said Turner is not, nor is seeking, to occupy the CEO role.
Mr Nettlefold said the Board is currently determining the process in appointing a new CEO and further details of this procedure are expected to be announced shortly.
It is the Board’s intention to appoint a new CEO within four months.