BRITISH SWIMMING BOARD

Minutes are subject to approval at the next British Swimming Board BRITISH SWIMMING BOARD Minutes of meeting held on 17 th September, commencing at 08.30am at the Crowne Plaza, Cromwell Road, Kensington, London Present: By Invitation for specific items only: Alistair Gray David Sparkes Anne Clark Sam Greetham Simon Rothwell Maureen Campbell Robert James Craig Hunter Guy Davis Mike Power Waiyin Hatton Jane Cooke Ian Mason Jane Nickerson Maria Walker Chris Denny David Richards John Atkinson Tim Reddish Ray Gordon Jeremy Beard Chairman Chief Executive S W Athlete Representative Director of World Class Operations Chief Operating Officer Finance Director Director of Marketing & Communications British Swimming Head of Communications NPD, Disability Swimming Executive Director, Disability Swimming Chairman, BSTSC Disability Auditor, haysmacintyre Min No 62. Welcome 62.1. The Chairmen welcomed members to the meeting and particularly those that had agreed to attend to make presentations to the Board in their respective areas. 63. Presentation by David Richards, British Swimming Head of Communications 63.1. The Head of Communications outlined to the Board the two key areas being reviewed in the presentation. These were: Media Review of the FINA World Championships 2011 in Shanghai Key principles of the London 2012 Communications Strategy 63.2. Media Review of the FINA Championships 2011 in Shanghai The Media review highlighted the following areas: Print Values Broadcast coverage BBC Sport Coverage Key Learning s

63.3. Key principles of the London 2012 Communications Strategy These were noted as: London 2012 Context key principle to ensure athletes can reach their full performance potential Communication Phase Stakeholder Input London 2012 Objectives Manage and Alleviate Pressure Define and manage expectations Media Training Programme Enhance coverage share Key Challenges Evolving 2012 Environment 63.4. There was an opportunity for the Board to ask questions on the plan and in discussion the issue of Social Media was raised. It was noted that a policy is currently being set up which will line up with the work being carried out by the BOA which is based on IOC advice. 63.5. The importance of following the protocols in place regarding the media was reiterated to the meeting. 63.6. The Communications team was requested to develop a London 2012 Games-time briefing note for Board members with key information and context. 63.7. The Chairman thanked Dave Richards for the informative presentation and Dave assured the Board that a similar plan for the Paralympics was being developed.. 64. Presentation by John Atkinson NPD Disability Swimming 64.1. The NPD advised that there were four parts to the presentation covering the following areas: What has happened in the previous 15 months The current development of the World Class Disability Structure, i.e. how we operate The 12 months to London 2012 and current athlete assessment Future considerations and planning 64.2. An opportunity was given to the Board to ask questions and it was confirmed that the Strategic Plan for 2013-2017 is currently being developed. 64.3. The Board were pleased to note the progress made in Manchester and Stirling and hoped this would continue. 64.4. The Chairman thanked John Atkinson for an informative and detailed presentation and wished him, his athletes and coaches every success in London 2012. 65. Presentation by Tim Reddish Executive Director Disability Swimming 65.1. The Executive Director of Disability Swimming presented to the Board details regarding the identification of athletes for development. The presentation noted the following: Steering Group Establishment Responsibilities of the Steering Group Membership

Progression Identification of Athletes Identification within schools. Talent ID Toolkit and Talent ID Toolkit Content Work Force Development Work Force Development Objectives Independent Home Country Successes and Challenges Readiness to Deliver 65.2. There was an opportunity for questions and discussion took place on e-learning and working smarter. It was recognised that there is the possibility of commercial activity to market a number of modules and this will be pursued in due course. 65.3. The Chairman thanked the Executive Director for Disability Swimming for his informative presentation. 66. Report of the Director of World Class Operations 66.1. IPC European Championships, Berlin 66.1.1. The Chairman set the scene for this important discussion by reminding the board that this was the one major opportunity to challenge our programme through to the London Olympoics and therefore wished nothing to be left on the table. The DoWCO advised that this event was a key performance benchmark competition for Disability Swimming for 2011. Great Britain had finished second in the medal table behind the Ukraine. The Board were pleased to note that the team had achieved their UK Sport target and whilst there are some challenges the results were very encouraging for the future with good performances by some first time international athletes. The report was noted. 66.2. FINA World Championships, Shanghai 66.2.1. Synchronised Swimming - The report and detailed statistical analysis was put before the Board for discussion. It was noted that the FINA World Championships had been a major benchmark event for Synchronised Swimming and all UK targets had been achieved. Congratulations were extended to the NPD and the team on their achievements and their continued improvement. The report was noted. 66.2.2. Diving The DoWCO reported that the standard had been extremely high in Shanghai with China dominating. Whilst British athletes exceeded their UK Sport targets in terms of finals it was noted that they had not achieved their medal target. The Board were concerned at this and emphasised how important it is that we ensure everyone is focussed for London. 66.2.3. The DoWCO reported on the Diving Conference he had attended which had been very positive with a statistical and technical analysis although it had been necessary to reiterate the funding difficulties that would arise if targets were not met next year. 66.2.4. The Board recognised that there are challenges ahead for Diving and are supportive of the NPD in actions that are required to move the matter forward. 66.3. Swimming Performance Review post Shanghai 66.3.1. Following a request to the NPD to carry out a performance review of all aspects of the World Championships a detailed report had been circulated to the Board members. This had been produced following the comprehensive debrief the NPD had undertaken with the staff that had attended the event.

66.3.2. The scope of the report is aimed at identifying the fine tuning required to individual and collective team performances to maximise performance outcomes next year. The report makes a number of specific recommendations going forward and these were noted. 66.4. Starts & Turns Statistical Evaluation 66.4.1. The report produced by the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager had looked at the comparative data from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and had examined progress using the data from the World Championships in July. 66.4.2. The Board were advised that a new system called NEMO is now being used which has more effective ways of analysing the various component parts of the turn. 66.4.3. The DoWCO was instructed to commission a further report after the trials in March 2012 comparing Shanghai with the trials. He was also requested to ensure that appropriate emphasis on this important matter continues and that the skills and science available are used to capacity. 66.4.4. The Board were encouraged by the report but recognised that there is still some way to go and that this is very much a work in progress. They also emphasised the importance of this being incorporated into Talent programmes across the home countries and the home country representatives were requested that they promote this. 66.5. Men s Water Polo 66.6. The report was noted and in addition the Board were advised that negotiations were continuing with a consultant to help boost technical knowledge. In addition to this options are being looked at to provide the Head Coach with experience in other European club environments. 66.7. Following completion of the reports from the DoWCO, and the subsequent discussion, the Board confirmed they beleived a full and proper review had taken place and that the necessary action plans were in the place. They looked forward to seeing progress in the future. 67. Finance Report 67.1. The Finance Director presented the Financial Report to the Board and informed members that the report now included the balance sheet. It was noted that in future the cash flow graph would also include the forecasted figure. The Chairman thanked the Finance Director for her presentation and looked forward to her attending future Board meetings. 68. British Swimming Year End Accounts 68.1. The Chairman welcomed the auditor, Jeremy Beard of Hays Macintyre to the meeting to present the British Swimming year end accounts to the Board and summarise the contents of the management letter prepared after the audit. 68.2. The auditor reported that it had been a clean audit with no issues. 68.3. The management letter was noted. There were no issues raised in the letter. 68.4. The letter of representation was noted and it was agreed a copy should be sent to the Board 68.5. The auditor was thanked for his report. 68.6. The accounts were approved by the Board and the Chairman and Finance Liaison Officer authorised to sign them. 68.7. The auditor was thanked for his report and the work of the finance team commended. 69. British Swimming Foundation 69.1. A briefing paper prepared by the Chairman had been circulated to the Board and discussion took place on this initiative. The Board agreed that there was merit in

the proposal and that a small working group be formed to discuss the idea in detail and for a proposition to be put forward to the Board for consideration. The Chairman assured the Board that their feedback and comments would be taken on board. 70. Minutes of the meeting held 10 June 2011 Delete Jane Nickerson from those listed as present 70.1. 70.2. Min No 52 Finance Delete sentence 2 and 3. Minute should read The Board noted that there would be a full presentation of the accounts at the next meeting as the finance information to date would have been of little value due to the auditing of the accounts for the year end. For transparency purposes the Board requested that individual accounts are put on the website. 70.3. With these amendments the minutes were approved. 71. Matters Arising 71.1. Water Polo - The Board were advised that the Executive Chairman of the British Water Polo Development Group had resigned from his position. Interviews for a possible replacement are due to take place early next month. In addition, Paul Metz from Holland is to start work on the coaching programme which will be delivered by Csaba Rull on an ongoing basis. The Board to be updated on progress at the next meeting. 71.2. Electoral College Appointment of The Electoral College had met to discuss the vacancy for an Independent Director which would arise in November 2011. Mike Power was eligible for re-election and had made himself available. The Electoral College agreed unanimously to re-apoint Mike Power for a further 4-year term. The College believed this was the best decision due to the proximity of the Olympic Games and Paralympics and as well as ensuring continuity at this critical stage in the quadrennial. It was noted that this was an exceptional circumstance and should not be regarded as precedent and that the preferred method of open recruitment would normally be followed. 71.3. Annual Report The Board were thanked for their feedback on the annual report which was now in the process of going to print. For the future the Board requested a draft report be available earlier for comment. 72. Date of Next Meeting 4/5 November 2011 at the Crowne Plaza, Birmingham NEC