Swimming Australia boss Eugenie Buckle quits just 18 months out from Paris Olympics

Swimming Australia CEO Eugenie Buckley has resigned from her position, effective immediately, less than 18 months before the Paris Olympics. 

Buckley, who took over from Alex Baumann in October 2021, has been credited with leading the organisation through a significant corporate restructure and improving its financial position.

In a statement released by Swimming Australia, SA President Michelle Gallen expressed gratitude to Buckley for her tenure in the role.

‘Eugenie has steered the organisation through the significant challenges of a corporate restructure and improving our financial position,’ Gallen said. 

‘She leaves us in a strong position to move forward, with a clear strategic direction to 2032 to build performance, pathways, participation and sustainability. 

‘I sincerely thank Eugenie for her hard work and determination and wish her well in future endeavours’. 

Swimming Australia CEO Eugenie Buckley had been at the centre of calls for a governance review before quitting ahead of the Paris Olympics

Following Buckley’s resignation, Steve Newman will serve as interim CEO until a global search is conducted to find a permanent replacement. 

The news comes after a group of key swimming stakeholders in Australia sent a bombshell letter to Buckley and the board of the regulator in December, calling for an urgent and independent review of governance.

News Corp had reported that some of the biggest movers and shakers in swimming had expressed major reservations about Buckley’s leadership style, with a confidential letter sent to SA’s board of directors requesting an independent review into the way the sport is being run. 

The letter was signed by every state swimming association president in the country, the national swimmer’s union, coaches, and teachers’ association, and the Northern Territory.

The stakeholders had lost faith in the SA leadership and called for drastic changes to save the sport from further ruin, stating that the current culture and behaviors of the Swimming Australia executive do not align with the sport’s stated values and strategic objectives. 

Alicia Coutts, Melanie Schlanger Brittany Elmslie and Cate Campbell of Australia win gold in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympics

Ariarne Titmus of Australia celebrates her victory during the women’s 400m freestyle at the Tokyo games

Gina Rinehart, Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, had also recently withdrawn funding from Swimming Australia while continuing to offer direct support for swimmers.

That means Swimming Australia does not have a major sponsor despite its success at the Tokyo Olympics where Australia matched its best-ever record of 17 gold medals that was also achieved in Athens in 2004.

Gallen had previously confirmed that that the Swimming Australia board had received the letter calling for the review on governance. 

‘Our states all have such diverse needs and diverse memberships,’ she told News Corp in December.

‘It is their job to advocate for what is in their best interests, and it is our job to govern in the best interest of the sport as a whole, so there will inevitably be some natural tensions in that relationship.

‘We remain absolutely committed to open and honest dialogue with all our stakeholders to address any challenges, while at the same time ensuring we continue to work together to ensure we propel our sport forward during this decade of immense opportunity.’