Nettlefold had been in the role just under eight months before announcing his resignation on Sunday (June 2) after he was alleged to have made inappropriate comments about a female sports scientist while she was out the room, suggested that team rooms should be checked for sex toys and condoms, and requested that those present in the room refer to him as "donkey" in reference to the size of his genitals.

Swimming Australia was already very much in a state of instability before the incident with Nettlefold after their shambolic London 2012 campaign, in which men's 4x100 metres relay team members took a sedative that had been banned by Swimming Australia and caused disruption to fellow team-mates in a drug-fuelled stupor at a Games lead-in camp in Manchester.

The Australians also went on to put in their worst performance in the pool at an Olympic Games since Montreal 1976.

Members of Australia's men's 4x100m relay team made a humbling apology after the fall-out from their "childish" antics at a pre-Games camp

This scandal and the team's sub-standard performance at London 2012 led to Swimming Australia having their funding cut by nearly six percent- the first time they have had their funding reduced since the 1980's.

"This is a difficult time for Swimming Australia and we recognise there are no easy solutions," said a statement from Anderson.

"Firstly, Barclay Nettlefold resigned as President of Swimming Australia at the weekend.

"Now a major sponsor has withdrawn its support from Swimming Australia.

"This is obviously disappointing but we respect the decision."

"The sport of swimming has been rebuilding since London.

"There is much to do.

"We have made a number of cultural and governance changes but the events of the last few days have crystallised the need for further endemic organisational and cultural change."

The loss of Nettlefold will do nothing to ease the situation at Swimming Australia, after he played a vital role in the attempted re-development of SA following a review which labelled the swim team's culture "toxic'', and an Australian Sports Commission review which recommended a raft of governance changes.

But Anderson claimed steps are being made to improve the situation, and that the organisation is determined to change in order to gain stability.

The deal with Energy Australia was believed to be worth around £1.25 million a year

"New structures have been, and are continuing to be, put in place to do this." he claims.

"The recent appointment of a new Director of High Performance in Michael Scott is an example of this.

"Further organisational changes are coming, and we have advertised for a new National Head Coach.

He also played down the potential detrimental impact of Energy Australia's decision to withdraw their sponsorship, emphasising the need for dedication and perseverance from members of the organisation and team members to pull them through this difficult period.

"Financial support from sponsors is important to the success of Australian Swimming, but ultimate success in the pool is built upon hard work and a strong and stable supporting organisation," said Anderson.

"During this rebuilding phase, Swimming Australia is committed to ensuring that swimming returns quickly to where it belongs - at its rightful place as Australia's number one Olympic sport."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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