Agreement reached between Swimming Australia and World Aquatics

Swimming Australia, World Aquatics and the Australian Sports Commission have agreed to a path forward regarding the constitutional requirements after meetings in Sydney today.

A heads of agreement will be signed today between all parties that will outline measures to be approved in an updated Swimming Australia Constitution.

The expanded voting structure will apply from the 2025 AGM and sees the current Member Organisations, including the seven State and Territory Member Organisations, the Swim Coaches and Teachers Association and the Australian Swimmers Association, retain 40 per cent of the voting rights, and will now include 5 per cent for any Australian World Aquatics Bureau member and 5 per cent for Swimming Australia’s Affiliate Members, including Masters Swimming Australia, Water Polo Australia, Diving Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia.

The additional 50 per cent of voting rights will be split between the clubs and athletes, with clubs gaining 30 per cent of the voting rights and 20 per cent for the athletes.

The Swimming Australia Board has committed to the addition of an observer appointed by the ASC to the Nominations, People, and Culture Committee and the Board for a period of up to three years. They have also agreed to utilise the services of the ASC to undertake a Board evaluation process, open to all Australian sports.

The Swimming Australia Board has committed to having a full Board in the coming months.

Swimming Australia maintains its membership status with World Aquatics and confirms athletes will continue to compete under the Australian flag, despite media reports to the contrary late last week and there is no change to funding.

Hayden Collins, Co-Chair of the Swimming Australia Board, said: “We are delighted to have been able to reach this outcome today and thank the Member Organisations for their support in bringing this to a resolution.”

“We look forward to finalising this prior to Christmas and moving forward in a positive manner.”

Brent Nowicki, Executive Director of World Aquatics, said: “We are pleased with the outcome from today’s conversations and believe that the new constitution sets the sport up in Australia for future success.”

“We are also pleased that 50 per cent of the voting rights now sit with the community the sport is there to serve, the athletes and clubs. This model will become one which we consider best practice across the world.”

Kieren Perkins, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, said: “The ASC continues to work with our national sports around good Governance principles and are pleased with the positive outcome of today’s conversations.”

“We look forward to seeing the adoption of these constitutional changes.”