Three Swimwatch posts have considered the benefits of bringing democracy back to Swimming New Zealand (SNZ). Several events contributed to promoting the importance of members taking back control of their sport. For example, the failure to perform and the fall in participation were important. But so was an email I received from Hawkes Bay coach, William Benson. William had gone to some effort to consider problems that have held back the sport. He wrote and distributed a lengthy and clear analysis. But was it going to be given the attention it deserved? I did not think so. Why? Because those who ultimately control SNZ are not interested in reform.

Sport New Zealand is perfectly happy with the way things are right now. They should be interested in William’s ideas. His purpose is clearly to benefit swimming. But William wasn’t promoting the power of Sport New Zealand and so Sport New Zealand wasn’t interested.

The bureaucrats at Sport New Zealand have the control they want. Reform is of no interest unless it promotes them. Always remember the selection of the three appointed Board members is controlled by Sport New Zealand. And the names of the three elected Board members must be pre-approved by Sport New Zealand. The full Board and therefore SNZ is controlled by Wellington bureaucrats. William’s reforms never stood a chance. They were dead before he got out his computer and began typing.

That must change. But it will not change voluntarily. Wellington bureaucrats do not voluntarily relinquish power. It will have to be taken from them by swimming’s membership. It will not be easy. The CEO of Sport New Zealand, Raelene Castle, is no push over.

Her argument will be that Sport New Zealand needs to control the Board to protect the millions it has spent on swimming. According to her none of this was about building an empire. This was all about protecting public money. If that was true it hasn’t worked. $26million has been spent for a negative performance and participation result. What sort of protection is that?

Besides all that, when Sport New Zealand was spending the best part of $2million a year on high performance swimming Castle may have had a point. A very poor point, when Layton and Cotterill were her idea of protection. Al Capone would have had better quality protection than those two.

Sport New Zealand has recently reduced their annual high-performance swimming grant by 59% to $829,500, behind rowing, cycling, yachting, athletics, canoe racing, snow sports, equestrian, netball, men’s rugby, women’s rugby, women’s hockey and para-Olympics. The hypocrisy is stunning. Less than half the grant money and Sport New Zealand still wants to control who goes onto the Board, whether they are appointed or elected.

But at heart Sport New Zealand is gutless. They push around SNZ because they know they can get away with it. Typical bully behaviour. But, in my opinion, not out of character for Raelene Castle. For example, she is not so brave when it comes to rugby. She gives both men’s and women’s rugby more money than swimming but I see no sign of her telling the Rugby Union who can be on their Board. She’s too scared to do that – behaviour typical of a bully. Everything Sport New Zealand tells sports not to do in their sport, Sport New Zealand is guilty of in business. It stinks.

Clearly Sport New Zealand and Castle have never heard of the Ernest Hemingway quote. “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”

Sport New Zealand get the loyalty from swimming they deserve. They clearly have no trust in the membership of SNZ. Why else would they want total control of who goes onto the SNZ Board? Sport New Zealand cannot be surprised then when we have no trust in them. They want to show their contempt for our ability to manage our affairs, that’s fine. But do not expect our loyalty in return.

We are not all Sport New Zealand sycophants like Layton or Cotterill. We do not all value money more than trust. We do not all worship at the feet of the guy with the money. Being trusted, being respected and being valued are more important than the size of Castle’s pockets. Her money is fine, but the qualities of trust are more important by far.

So, trust us and give us our democracy back, and then read William’s report. That’s what we want. That’s what we need. Then we can discuss money.