Salter previously worked in a similar talent and high performance role with British Swimming and will bring with him a decade of experience in managing swimming after a competitive career which included being part of Britain's Olympic team in 1996 and 2000.

Australia won just ten medals and one golden one in the women's 4x100 metre freestyle relay at London 2012, falling well short of the high standards which saw they win five titles at Sydney 2000, seven at Athens 2004 and six at Beijing 2008.

The team did improve to three gold medals at the recent World Championships in Barcelona, courtesy of Christian Sprenger in the 100m breaststroke and James Magnussen and Cate Campbell in their respective 100m freestyle races.

The hope is that Salter's appointment will help ensure greater success in future years and his announcement comes just three months after Michael Scott was appointed director of high performance after leaving British Swimming following their poor display at London 2012. 

Jamie Salter, pictured here in his native Britain, will join Swimming Australia later in 2013


Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson is confident that these changes will have a positive effect and views Salter's arrival as "another important step forward for the organisation."

"Since Michael Scott started in May we've been working towards our long term high performance plan and the plan is focussed on attaining success in the current Olympic cycle culminating at the 2016 Olympics in Rio," he said.

"However, we are just as focussed on ensuring the sustainability of our system and the appointment of Salter is a key component of delivering on that plan.

"The High Performance Pathway Manager is an important part of the new structure at Swimming Australia to enable us to deliver on our 'Winning Edge' proposal and targets.

"We're looking forward to him joining the team and continuing the planning with our talented coaches to identify and develop our next level of young athletes."

Scott had previously worked with Salter at British Swimming.

"Jamie is a talented high performance professional who has a proven track record of building structures and relationships to meet strategic objectives," said Scott.

"Developing a high performance culture starts at the talent ID stage, and working with our athletes and coaches to nurture that talent in partnership with State associations and institutes.

"Having worked with him in the UK, I have first hand experience of his skills and planning in this area, and I know he will be a valuable asset to the sport."

Salter is expected to begin with Swimming Australia in late September with his first big test likely to be the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next summer.