Swimming Australia Lose Major Sponsor Following Scandal

Following the recent controversies, Swimming Australia have been hit with another setback after major sponsor Energy Australia cut ties with the organisation by ending their five-year deal.

News that the sponsorship – believed to be worth at least $2 million a year – had been torn up came only days after president Barclay Nettlefold resigned amid claims of inappropriate behaviour.

The deal reportedly made up almost half of SA’s annual revenue for corporate sponsorship.

“This is a difficult time for Swimming Australia and we recognise there are no easy solutions,’ SA CEO Mark Anderson said in a statement.

“This is obviously disappointing but we respect the decision.”

Before Energy Australia’s bombshell, SA were also coping with the Australian Sports Commission’s decision in April that it would cut swimming funding by $500,000 for 2013.

It marked the first time it had been cut since the 1980s.

“Financial support from sponsors is important to the success of Australian swimming, but ultimate success in the pool is built upon hard work and a strong and stable supporting organisation,’ said Anderson, who is a month into his new job.

“During this rebuilding phase, Swimming Australia is committed to ensuring that swimming returns quickly to where it belongs at its rightful place as Australia’s No.1 Olympic sport.”

The SA board gathered in Sydney on Wednesday before confirming the sponsorship deal was dead in the water.

“are you serious?????” was five-time London Olympic medallist Alicia Coutts response to the news on Twitter.

SA dropped their investigation into Nettlefold after he admitted to making inappropriate comments and resigned on Sunday.

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