(Reuters) – The governing body for swimming in England has issued an apology and expressed their commitment to making changes following an independent report that identified a “culture of fear” within some clubs.
The report, which gathered feedback from 1,000 athletes, parents, coaches, and other individuals involved in aquatics, highlighted five “cultural themes” that put the well-being and safety of individuals in the sport at risk.
It was revealed that certain clubs prioritized performance over the holistic benefits of aquatics, resulting in excessive pressure on young athletes and power imbalances that could create a “toxic environment.”
Among the issues raised in the report were instances of bullying and aggressive coaching styles going unaddressed, with parents feeling reluctant to speak up due to fears of retaliation from coaches and peers.
Additionally, the report noted that coaches often felt vulnerable to unfounded allegations.
“We are sorry that the culture within aquatics has not lived up to our standards and has led to negative experiences within our community,” said Swim England’s Chairperson Richard Hookway in a statement on Tuesday.
“We take the feedback about Swim England in the report very seriously and are dedicated to implementing changes.
“We will take the necessary time to develop our next steps with the ultimate goal of ensuring that everyone feels safe, valued, and welcome in our sports.”
The report also provided 21 recommendations focused on enhancing safeguarding and welfare measures.
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
