This post is a series of quotes taken from each of the Swimming New Zealand Annual Reports since the year 2000. I have cut out one or two surplus words simply to avoid the post becoming too long and boring. It describes SNZ’s recent history of lurching from one disaster to another.

2000 Annual Report – The organisation has been dealing with a serious drug infraction issue. Throughout the sport has gone to great lengths to ensure the athlete concerned has been given a fair opportunity to defend the infraction and ensure the principals of natural justice have prevailed.

Comment – Absolute rubbish. A totally innocent Trent Bray was thrown under the bus for something he simply did not do.

2001 Annual Report – The foundations have now been solidly laid for the organisation to grow and prosper into the future. We have established a strong operating model which brings full accountability to the Council members ensuring they focus in the areas of the governance and the forward looking role which is required by the swimmers, financiers and the broader swimming community.

Comment – Review number one. There are more to come, trust me.

Also in the 2001 Annual Report – Although we must accept that in future there will be a certain number of high performance centres producing the bulk of swimmers, we need to ensure that smaller programmes are not swallowed up by larger more powerful programmes.

Comment – See, in 2001, they had the right idea. Cameron was not going to allow that the happen though. And it didn’t.

2002 Annual Report – Clive’s role was designed to coach the coaches. The new position and redefined focus was established to address this need.

Comment – The right idea again and the same person killed it.

2003 Annual Report – The SPARC supported strategic review has commenced.  The first stage provided the Council an opportunity to consider many possibilities, opportunities, initiatives and strategies which may assist us in framing our future direction.

Comment – Review number two. Fear not SNZ will be looking at itself again. 

2004 Annual Report – The 2003 / 04 year has been tumultuous for SNZ. We have lost sponsorship, failed to meet budget revenue, and a number of staff have left the organisation. We must be collectively prepared to embrace change, we must be collectively prepared to unite, and we must be collectively courageous and enthusiastic in delivering the new SNZ to the World.

Comment – That’s honest. I love the attempt at Churchill oratory. They’ll be fighting them on the pool deck and in the changing rooms next.

2005 Annual Report – Much of the focus was centred on a High Performance plan that met the needs of the Sport in reaching our goals.  The signing of a four year investment agreement worth up to $4M was the highlight for the year. A further investment of $1.2M over 4 years for Talent development was concluded, providing further resource to develop the skills and abilities of our coaches and swimmers.

Comment – They got the money and then they wasted it.

2006 Annual Report – Training is available for all pools to have Evidence Gatherers to support this process which is nationally moderated. Once all components have been completed including a current First Aid certificate the ASTA certificate and unit standards 22999, 22300 and 22301 will be awarded.

Comment – I have no idea what that all means either. But that’s what they said. 

2007 Annual Report – Access to water space continues to be restricted by other user groups. It is imperative that SNZ has dedicated HP facilities if the country is to achieve and maintain a major position in world swimming.

Comment – The big moan of 2007 was access to water space. Well, they built a new pool and results got worse. Go figure.

2008 Annual Report – 2007 World Long Course Rankings

6 Moss Burmester

8 Zoe Baker

9 Corney Swanepoel

Comment – Three in the top ten. It’s a while since those numbers appeared on your screen. 

2009 Annual Report – A review was undertaken by leading swimming high performance expert Bill Sweetenham. Our vision of being “World Class in Every Pool” encapsulates the picture of where swimming in New Zealand will be.

Comment – Review number three. But we aren’t done yet. “World class in every pool” came to a sad end.   

2010 Annual Report – The major highlight of the year has to be that State Insurance has partnered with SNZ and become our first ever principal sponsor.

Comment – First, last and only or came, saw and left.

2011 Annual Report – Project Vanguard has continued its extensive consultation and has culminated in a proposal for change under the title of “One Team”.  This is an exciting proposal for the effective and efficient delivery of our sport. We think we have identified the optimal operating model, recognising best practice and the special characteristics of our organisation, and it is ready to be presented to members.

Comment – Review number four. $200,000 spent selling their project and the Regions told them to file it in a very dark place.

2012 Annual Report – At the AGM it was agreed that a review of Swimming New Zealand would be conducted. A Working Group under the leadership of Chris Moller was established. The review resulted in a report containing 21 recommendations which was adopted at a SGM in July 2012. The recommendations resulted in a new Constitution for the sport.

Comment – Review number five. The beginning of the end. Sadly it’s all been downhill after this catastrophic mistake. Take a bow Cameron, Moller, Palmer, Mace, Coulter and Byrne. 

2013 Annual Report – Brent Layton ONZM, BA (Hons), BCA, PhD, FInstD, GG Chair, Swimming New Zealand

Comment – What sort of person feels it’s necessary to list all this stuff in the Annual Report of a sport’s federation. 

2014 Annual Report – With the development programme led by Donna Bouzaid (High Performance Development Coach) focusing on Long Term Athlete Development principles, the High Performance programme is broadly delivering on its objectives and has the right leadership,  programme elements, initiatives and systems in place to be successful.

Comment – And shortly after that Donna and Gary were sacked and no one was delivering anything. 

2015 Annual Report – A lowlight was the attempt by bloggers and media commentators to discredit Lauren’s 1500m freestyle record by claiming the pool was too shallow. The credibility the opinions of these bloggers deserve is clear; absolutely none.

Comment – David gets a mention. Pity it is not true. The question was the integrity of Swimming New Zealand not the legitimacy of Lauren’s record.

2016 Annual Report – One of the major challenges is that of funding. Since the new board was formed, we have lost almost $1 million in annual funding. Unfortunately, the impact of this means that the onus for funding continues to fall on parents. The reality is that we are a second tier sport in a rugby, netball, sailing and rowing mad country.

Comment – The funding problems begin and they are serious. I am inspired by the Chairman’s acceptance of second place. Nothing Churchillian about this guy.

2017 Media Release Commonwealth Games Team Selection – “Swimming NZ is delighted with the team that has been announced. We are confident in the swimmers who have been selected and know that they are up for the challenge.”

Comment – In April we will see what Steve Johns knows that we don’t. 

2017 Annual Report – The 2016/17 year can be best described as a year of disruption. We have had a number of changes in our executive and management team including a new National Head Coach and CEO. We have also suffered a significant reduction in funding from High Performance Sport NZ which in turn led to the disestablishment of two senior roles within the High Performance team.

Comment – And that’s the good news about where we are today.