Last month, after nearly six years at the helm of Swim England, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer Jane Nickerson announced her retirement, effective at the end of 2023.
However, as we reported, having been involved in Swim England in different roles for 25 years, Nickerson’s departure is not without controversy.
Stemming from the 2021 investigation into the storied Ellesmere Titan swim club in response to allegations of eating disorders, bullying and overall mental health issues affecting many of its swimmers, a subsequent independent review released its finding on Swim England‘s conduct.
- Storied Ellesmere Titans Swim Club Set to Close Following Scathing Report
- Alan Bircher (Ellesmere Coach) Removed from British Swimming Staff for 2020 Olympic Games
Flash forward to today and Nickerson has offered a public apology to those throughout Swim England potentially affected by the allegations and ultimate findings.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to poor behaviour but we have to be open and recognise that sadly not everyone has had the positive experience we would expect from participation in our sports.
“For that I am truly sorry.
“If we are to be successful in this cultural change journey then we need everyone in aquatics, in any role at any level, to commit to collectively doing everything we possibly can to deliver the positive, safe, welcoming environment and culture that we all want to see.”
Nickerson’s comments come amidst the launch of Swim England‘s new Heart of Aquatics initiative. The program is part of the organization’s vow ‘to create a better future for everyone in its sports as part of a cultural change journey which will put members, coaches, teachers, parents, clubs and swim schools at the heart of aquatics.’
Included in the national governing body’s new safeguarding, welfare and culture plan, Heart of Aquatics, is a commitment to listen to the ‘experiences and views’ of everyone involved in aquatics in a bid to be able to take ‘proactive formative action’.
Swim England will use independent experts to lead the listening work, as well as in the delivery and scrutiny of the Heart of Aquatics plan to ensure there is a ‘positive culture across its sports and that the highest standards of welfare and safeguarding are in place’.
I thought I was reading about Cal for a minute, then I saw the apology and knew it couldn’t be about Teri.
Jane, Sorry does not wash nor is it believable. I asked you, my MP asked you, the Undersecretary of State asked you and hundreds of letters from parents asking you for an explanation about massive contradictions and inconsistencies regarding Ellesmere Titans. Not only did you refuse to answer but you sent gagging letters. How can that be a mistake worthy of sorry?
What inconsistencies and contradictions would you liked cleared up Al?
This is misleading and confused about the issues addressed in the independent review. This independent review was because of concern that the decision to disaffiliate the club was FLAWED. It had nothing to do with any allegations against Titans coaches. There has not been an apology to those affected by the (draft) findings of the review i.e. the findings about the flaws in the disaffiliation process – Swim England has in fact refused a request to apologise to those subjected to the flawed process. I appreciate you may have been misled by the BBC report, but I think you should correct your article on these points out of fairness to those adversely affected, including the children whose welfare the disaffiliation… Read more »
I don’t find the article confusing at all – you are confused – the independent review is yet to be done. It is new and will be carried out by an independent expert to listen to the views of everyone in aquatics which has everything to do with allegations against coaches.
‘Sue the Lawyer’ is spot on. The independent review has been done by Sports Resolution. The Weston report is due to be published towards the end of the month. His consideration of the cases has ‘led me to conclude that the current state of the Regulations, Safeguarding Investigations and Disciplinary Process and Procedures within Swim England are unsatisfactory and fail the sport.’
Anybody who has been subject to an ICPO investigation and sanction has been badly let down by Swim England.
You know that you are being disingenuous in saying anybody subject to an investigation has been let down as you cannot possibly know this. Ellesmere College Swim Club was investigated for 12 months with a 21 day appeals process that they chose not to take and accepted their suspensions. Victims of this investigation were not let down by the ICPO. During the following 6 months, Swim England tried to work with the College but for undisclosed reasons, disaffiliated the club. I understand these reasons to be that the college would not cooperate but please correct me if I am wrong about this. It is an appeal against the disaffiliation that you feel swim england was not adequate in, not the… Read more »
Why did I read that as ‘exciting’ 😆