The ASA announced today that they will be seeking to appoint someone to replace Sparkes, who will continue to combine the two roles until a suitable candidate is identified and in place. 

The change has been agreed between the respective Boards of the ASA and British Swimming, and will see Sparkes, who has led both organisations since 1994, focus on the sport's high performance strategy and development alongside the international influence programme.

"It has been a privilege to serve both the ASA and British Swimming for more than 20 years," said Sparkes.

"In that time swimming in England and across Great Britain has gone from strength to strength with increased participation in the sport and the development of world class, medal winning athletes at elite level.

"I believe the progress of the ASA and British Swimming has reached a stage where they would benefit from having individual leaders to drive both organisations forward.

"This has been a journey and now we are moving to the next phase and I am very much looking forward to continuing my role at British Swimming to deliver results for the sport and Great Britain at an elite level as we head towards Rio 2016 and beyond."

Sparkes has been involved in swimming for over 40 years and prior to becoming involved in the administrative side of the sport was an active and successful coach.

Rebecca Adlington's Olympic gold medals in the 400 and 800 metres freestyle at Beijing 2008 made her the most successful British swimmer for a century ©Getty Images

During his time at the helm of British Swimming, Britain claimed 13 medals at the Olympics with the highlight being double gold for Rebecca Adlington at Beijing 2008, the first time a Briton had achieved the feat for a century. 

But an underwhelming performance at London 2012, which saw Britain claim just three medals, none of them gold, has seen an overhaul of key positions within British Swimming over the past 18 months.

Adlington, winner of two bronze medals at London 2012, appeared to criticise Sparkes for the handling of the fallout after London 2012 when British Swimming dithered in appointing a new head coach following the resignation of American Dennis Pursley.

Bill Furniss has taken over from Pursley, while Chris Spice replaced Michael Scott as national performance director and former British Gymnastics head coach Tim Jones was appointed head of performance pathway last year.

Following those disappointing performances at London 2012 and at last year's World Championships in Barcelona, which saw just a solitary bronze medal for Fran Hallsall, British Swimming has seen its funding cut by UK Sport.

In addition, funding for synchronised swimming and water polo has been completely withdrawn also.

Michael Jamieson's silver medal at London 2012 along with two bronze for Rebecca Adlington was a disappointing return for British Swimming ©Getty Images





The ASA is the national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water, and synchronised swimming in England and its chief focus is the growing of participation and development of swimming from grassroots to elite level.

Edward Lord, chairman of the ASA Group Board, paid tribute to the work of Sparkes in steering the organisation for the past two decades and in particular the rise in the numbers of people actively swimming and taking up the sport.

"The ASA is proud that swimming is the number one participation sport in England with over 12 million people swimming every year, and David has played a major part in helping us get to this position," said Lord.

"He has driven change and modernisation in the ASA and British Swimming for 20 years and both he and the respective boards of the ASA and British Swimming feel it is the right time to have a dedicated chief executive for each organisation.

"A new ASA chief executive will now be recruited who will be able to focus exclusively on achieving the ASA's key priorities.

"Under new leadership, the ASA will continue to grow the appeal of swimming at a grass roots level, help communities have access and enjoy the benefits of local swimming facilities and enable people of all abilities, from beginners to national level competitors, take part in the sport they love.

"This is an important and exciting time for the ASA as we move to a new era in our senior leadership."

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