Ajax Swimming Shuts Down Amid CEO’s Sexual Assault Scandal

Following the arrest of CEO and high performance coach of Ajax Swimming, Matt Bell, the club has permanently shut down all operations as of 12:00 a.m Wednesday.

In an email sent to members of the team on Tuesday, Ajax Swimming stated, “the legal, political, financial and practical implications of the events of the last two weeks have made it impossible for the business to continue.”

Bell was arrested Nov. 10 following a three month investigation by the Durham Regional Police sexual assault unit after accusations of an alleged 2011 sexual assault were made against Bell by a former Ajax swimmer in August.

Bell was charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and four counts of luring a person under 18 years.

Just hours prior to the announcement that the swim team would cease operations, Julia Wilkinson announced that she would be resigning as head coach of the program. Swimming Canada suspended Bell Nov. 11 following his arrest, and the suspension had not cleared by the time Wilkinson resigned.

The closure of Ajax Swimming leaves several high profile Canadian athletes without a club at this point in time. The club had five athletes on 2015 LC Identified Teams as part of the National Team Development Program.

According to a source close to story, local teams have been accommodating Ajax swimmers during this time.

This is an ongoing story.

 

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Loss of words
7 years ago

It’s official….

http://m.durhamregion.com/news-story/6816982-ajax-swim-coach-matthew-bell-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-exploitation-of-teen

Truly a terrible and sad situation for everyone involved.

Another swim coach
7 years ago

I learned that he didn’t take a plea last Monday and that there is another court appareance schedule for July 25th.. However I just read that 5 girls came forward as well? Is that true? Does anybody know about this?

Ajax11
Reply to  Another swim coach
7 years ago

Where did you read that more have come forward?

Another swim coach
Reply to  Ajax11
7 years ago

At the one of the first articles about this, someone commented that 5 girls stepped up… I don’t know if thats true or how that information is accurate… How do they know about this?

going to court sessions
Reply to  Another swim coach
7 years ago

I have not read anything on 5 girls stepping forward. Granted I may have missed it. The best way to get information on this case is to go to court. Granted most people work. This case is under a Publication Ban meaning you can’t discuss anything that happens in court on any public forum. “Following the case” has stated some stuff that is his opinion but
not actual information stated in court.

It should be noted that this type of case falls under Federal Law Mandatory Minimal Sentencing.

going to court sessions
Reply to  going to court sessions
7 years ago

Clarification “Following the Case” may have inside information on this case, but such information has not been stated in court and there has been No resolution yet or Plea, or what the exact Plea will be. Next session
July 25.

Another swim coach
7 years ago

Hey Matt (whenever you are)… Wish Monday goes well. Hope i can hear from/about you soon.

ZET
7 years ago

What happened yesterday at his court appparence?

Following the case
Reply to  ZET
7 years ago

I hear he is pleading guilty at the end of May.

Ajax11
Reply to  Following the case
7 years ago

Likely a plea bargain…..agreeing to a lesser charge. Save the time and money associated with a trial with a guaranteed outcome. Maybe a fine followed by probation.

Following the case
Reply to  Ajax11
7 years ago

No such thing as a fine in these cases. He will go to jail. And be on the Sex Offender Registry for minimum 10 years. I would highly suspect the evidence is overwhelming and his lawyer has advised him to plead and get less jail time. It would cost him a fortune to go to trial and likely end up with more jail time.

People
Reply to  Following the case
7 years ago

Who cares about Matt Bell. He is a pedophile. Since when do pedophiles have so called supporters. The courts are calling a spade a spade. plain and simple. There is not enough jail time for pedophiles. PEOPLE get it through your heads MATT BELL IS A PEDOPHILE.

Ajax Alum
Reply to  People
7 years ago

The circumstances of this case don’t support the conclusion that he is a pedophile. A pedophile is someone who is attracted to prepubescent children. The complainant in this case was between 16-17 years old. Words have meaning – you can’t just throw them around like that. A sex offender is not automatically a pedophile.

People
Reply to  Ajax Alum
7 years ago

A pedophile is someone that has sexual intercourse or a sexual relationship with a CHILD that is 18 years or younger. which he absolutely did according to the law and the courts. 16, 17 years old still considered in the eyes of the law as a child. Pedophile is the correct term.

Ajax Alum
Reply to  People
7 years ago

You are right – apparently according to Ontario law he would be labelled a pedophile on conviction. I stand corrected. I didn’t realize that there was a legal definition in Ontario that differed from the actual psychiatric definition.

Following the case
Reply to  Ajax Alum
7 years ago

In this particular case the key is that he was in a position of authority. Hence the sexual exploitation charge. He cannot in the eyes of the law have a sexual relationship with anyone under 18 when he is in a position of authority. Same as teachers with their students. Add 4 charges of luring… Overwhelming evidence. People need to remember…she was 16. He was 30. Its wrong. And he should be admitting he was wrong. He is a sex offender.

Another swim coach
Reply to  Following the case
7 years ago

That’s more accurate. I don’t think Matt is a pedophile. He did something really wrong and should do what he must to get things right, starting by admitting this major mistake. Justice will decide what’s to follow for him. A very sad and unfortunate situation for many. Is anyone aware of when is the next court date? Is it for sentence/evidence hearing? What’s next?

Following the case
Reply to  Another swim coach
7 years ago

Next court date … May 30th… Sentencing will likely be sometime after that.

Another swim coach
Reply to  Following the case
7 years ago

Ok…will be patiently waiting for may 30th. Do you happen to know if he is pleading guilty to all the charges he is facing? Thank you!

Following the case
Reply to  Another swim coach
7 years ago

Not likely. Likely it is some kind of plea bargain that the crown and defence have agreed to. They will pick what charges he pleads to and what charges are withdrawn. Sentencing will come later. He will probably have character reference letters…letters vouching for how great of a guy he is. And then of course there will be the victim impact statement.

Another swim coach
Reply to  Following the case
7 years ago

Ok I see… Well, I am looking forward to know what’s going to happen. I’ve been thinking about this since the whole thing started. Thank you again for being so helpful!.

People
Reply to  Another swim coach
7 years ago

You can think Matt is not a pedophile but that’s what they are called when they have inappropriate sexual activities with a minor. Call it what it is. Yes he did something wrong, over and over and over again. It’s not a one time offence. There were apparently multiple times.
If this case were the states he would be locked up for a long time.

another swim coach
Reply to  People
7 years ago

i get it and i am not defending him. However i am interested on this case because I know him, plain and simple. I am not stopping this process, neither is my role to make a judgement. I simply want to know more about this case because i care. Does anyone have information about today’s court date?

Ajax11
Reply to  People
7 years ago

People, I am curious where you might be getting your information from? Maybe you have attended the court dates or have access to court documents. I will admit I do not. From what I have read he was charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of exploitation and 4 counts of luring, which I have to assume are some form of text or email communication. Have others come forward since the charges were first laid back in November? You are saying that this is not a first time offence. What proof do you have of that? And if so so, I trust you have shared your evidence with the authorities. It is obvious that you do not like… Read more »

another swim coach
Reply to  Following the Case
7 years ago

oh wow… postponed.. reading the article i cant tell if its good or bad for him.. its the third time i see.. I hope this is really getting to the end. I wish i could read more about this case.. any advice as to who to contact or where to go to know more?

Ajax11
Reply to  Ajax11
7 years ago

Not sure why my comments are receiving the “thumbs down” when the only thing I was suggesting was that we share comments based on facts and not personal opinion or mere speculation. Obviously “People” has no facts supporting what he stated above, otherwise I am sure we would have heard from him or her by now.

Another swim coach
Reply to  Ajax11
7 years ago

mines are also getting some thumbs down lol… It’s ok…it doesn’t matter the reasons that support our comments about this case, regardless if others agree or disagree, I think is still good to say it.
I miss Ajax swimming to be honest… And I have hopes its not over yet…

gordon
Reply to  Ajax11
7 years ago

If you want “Facts” go to the court when the sentencing occurs.

ZET
7 years ago

Wow…So it is going this far… Oh my goodness. Thank you following the case for keeping us updated about this, very much appreciate it.

Following the case
7 years ago

May 9th…next court date. Pre-trial done. Now decision to be made. Trial or plead guilty

ZET
7 years ago

How did April 7th pre trial go?

Gordon 1
7 years ago

It’s April 7th. Any updates?

About Mitch Bowmile

Mitch Bowmile

Mitch worked for 5-years with SwimSwam news as a web producer focusing on both Canadian and international content. He coached for Toronto Swim Club for four seasons as a senior coach focusing on the development of young swimmers. Mitch is an NCCP level 2 certified coach in Canada and an ASCA Level …

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