australian swimming 93rd annual report 2001/2002

24 corporate strategy and development
matt welsh
2001 Male Backstroke Swimmer of the Year
Gold Medallist 100m Backstroke
2001 FINA World Championships
Australia had a stellar 2001/2002 season
both in and out of the pool. The performances
at the Fukuoka World Championships will
remain in our memories for a long time to
come, as Australia became the number one
swimming nation in the world. This year will
also be remembered for the adoption of a new
constitution for the organisation.
The Corporate Strategy and Development
Committee was established by Australian
Swimming to investigate strategic issues
relevant to the future direction of swimming in
Australia. The Committee consisted of Russell
Bowen, Michelle Ford-Eriksson, Tim Ford,
Nicole Stevenson, Alex Baumann and Brendan
Lynch, ASI’s Corporate Services Manager.
The Committee met on six occasions during the
year (two via teleconference) tackling a
number of important issues in relation to
governance, the constitution and the
establishment of charters between ASI and its
stakeholders. In March of this year, at a Special
General Meeting, the new constitution was
unanimously endorsed signaling a new
direction for the Sport. Australian Swimming is
to be commended in having the foresight to
critically analyse its structure despite results
being at an all time high. This progressive
attitude will help ensure that Australia remains
at the forefront of world swimming. There is no
doubt that there is much more to do but with
clear direction, open lines of communication
and cooperation between all stakeholders, we
will achieve our goals.
Unfortunately, due to the potential conflict of
interest with my current position as Director
of the Queensland Academy of Sport, I have
had to resign from the Board of Australian
Swimming and Chair of this Committee.
I thoroughly enjoyed being a Board Member
of ASI and would like to thank the Board for
the opportunity. Tim Ford has been appointed
as my replacement and has taken up the reigns
of the Committee. Due to an increase in work
commitments, Nicole Stevenson has resigned
from the Committee. I would like to thank
Nicole for her valuable contribution over the
past year.
Finally, I would like to thank members of the
Committee for their commitment and vision
during this important time in Australian
Swimming’s history. I would also like to thank
John Devitt, Glenn Tasker, Vena Murray and ASI
sta≈ for the support given to this Committee.
Alex Baumann
coordinator