Steve Prescott
The establishment of an independent expert panel to
review Dunedin's professional swim coaching needs has been
proposed after multiple instances of contention around swim
coaching contracts.
Two swim coaching contracts based at Moana Pool are due to
expire in the next 12 months.
In a report to the Dunedin City Council's community
development committee, which meets next week, aquatic
services manager Steve Prescott said it was good opportunity
to evaluate the current system, investigate other options and
recommend solutions before any new contracts were entered.
Issues over the years had included fair allocation of lane
space, which sports codes should be covered by swim coach
contracts, how many coaches should have access to Moana Pool
and fairness and consistency issues.
Aquatic services suggested the council consider appointing an
independent panel made up of sports administrator Dave
Gerrard, director of Swim Tastic (Auckland) and coach Mark
Bone and Sport Otago chief executive John Brimble, to look
into what was best for swimming in Otago.
The group would be required to consult with the swimming
community and have a good understanding of all the differing
points of view and would need to make its recommendations to
the council by the end of July.
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