Sync or swim for SNZ

Daniel Bell was nominated for an NZOC scholarship to help athletes through to the 2012 Olympics. Photo / Getty Images.

Swimming New Zealand's London Olympics programme could struggle to stay afloat if an impending Sparc review is negative.

Sparc is promising a "good, deep look" at all aspects of the widely criticised SNZ high performance programme.

As part of the 2011 funding allocations announced on Friday, SNZ is set to receive $1.65 million in 2011 - provided it can get its house in order at the top level.

Sparc high performance manager Martin Toomey confirmed there is serious dissatisfaction and disquiet among a core of swimmers, a major concern for the funding body.

"We did a review after Delhi and what came back pretty clearly was that there were quite a number of athletes who were unhappy with a number of issues within the high performance programme," says Toomey. "While it was not specifically assigned at individuals, the main concerns were the leadership and planning in the programme as well as where resources in the programme were being targeted.

"There was enough of a red flag for us to [order] an independent review. We need to get an honest appraisal of where things are at."

A recent Herald on Sunday investigation (see November 21, 28 and December 5 issues) uncovered a "culture of fear" within SNZ. Athletes felt speaking out or giving honest feedback would put their futures in jeopardy.

There was also the draconian zero-tolerance alcohol policy at the Commonwealth Games, and the cover-up of what occurred behind Daniel Bell's expulsion for breaching that policy.

Former head coach Mark Regan was said to be taking legal advice before being re-appointed in a different role and there was disquiet over Bell being seen to receive favoured treatment, especially as he was the only squad member nominated for a special NZOC scholarship to help athletes through to the 2012 Olympics.

Toomey, aware of all the recent negative stories, says Sparc has no "preconceived ideas" ahead of the review: "We have to go in with eyes wide open. The review will make recommendations on changes that need to take place and then we need to sit down with SNZ and work out how they will implement those changes. If they do that to our satisfaction, the money will continue to flow."

SNZ CEO Mick Byrne says, "[We are] committed to continual improvement and the opportunity to work with Sparc to identify ways to help our swimmers get better results is welcomed. We are determined about the challenges ahead."

The Sparc-funded review will commence in the new year and is targeted to be completed by April 30.

Like swimming, kayaking has been in the headlines recently and will also feel the effect of the Sparc blowtorch. Toomey says the $900,000 earmarked for canoe racing in 2011 is contingent on confirmation of the new coaching structure, as the public split between CRNZ and former coaches Ian Ferguson and Paul MacDonald continues.

"We have been aware of those issues but have deliberately not played it out in the media," says Toomey. "We think there are other ways. We are working with CRNZ to try and resolve those issues. The big difference [between CRNZ and SNZ] is that CRNZ are acutely aware of what those issues are, whereas with SNZ, we are still trying to understand what the issues might be."

According to Toomey, Sparc expects CRNZ to take a multi-faceted approach when assessing the merits and ability of the contenders for the coaching roles.

"We want to make sure that the coaches appointed can do the job required," says Toomey. "They need to have a level of success behind them that means they are able to help the athletes. But also, they need to create an environment conducive to allowing those athletes to work together and deliver on their potential."