Swimming WA is delighted to advise you of some new appointments that have been confirmed in recent days!
State Technical Director - Mel Tantrum
Mel Tantrum has been announced as the new State Technical Director, appointed by Swimming Australia with the responsibility for contributing to Swimming Australia pathway program activities and accountable for leading State Pathway Programs.
Mel has been part of Dolphin campaigns from 2004-2013, including the Paralympic Games where she guided Kat Porter to Paralympic Gold in Beijing 2008 and World Championships. She will be joining the Coach Leadership Team (CLT) as the State Technical Director for both Western and South Australia.
Mel will commence with Swimming Australian from the 4th of January 2022 and will be working closely with SWA and WAIS in her role. She will be co-located between working from home, the SWA office and WAIS as well as being out on the road visiting clubs and coaches and servicing Swimming Australia.
Swimming WA Board Directors
SWA welcomes three new board directors to the SWA Board. Our new directors have extensive accounting, legal and commercial backgrounds and will provide excellent experience for the SWA Board, filling some of the skill gap areas previously identified by the Nominations Committee.
Through these appointments, we are adopting the Sport Australia Sport Governance Principles, ensuring a strong mix of professional experience on the Board that will result in the long term sustainability of our sport.
Rob Brauer - Rob has nearly 20 years experience as a restructuring and turnaround specialist working with directors, boards and lenders.
Rob has broad industry experience, with particular expertise in mining and mining services, construction and engineering, agribusiness, manufacturing and hospitality gained from in-country assignments throughout Australasia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
Rob has taken a casual elected Director vacancy expiring in October 2022. Rob’s financial expertise will be invaluable for Swimming WA.
Cath Johns – Cath is an experienced corporate and resources lawyer and mining projects lawyer. She has extensive corporate governance and business risk management experience as well as contracts, corporate transaction management, project implementation.
Cath has taken the appointed position vacancy, expiring in October 2023. Cath’s corporate governance, compliance, risk management and contracts experience will be a huge asset to the Swimming WA Board.
David Bond - David has more than 28 years of tax experience (including over 16 years as a tax partner) working for a big-four accounting firm in Perth, Melbourne and Chicago.
He joined Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills in November 2018 as a Partner in the Perth office. David has taken a casual elected Director vacancy expiring in October 2023. David’s financial and legal background as well as swimming administration experience will provide excellent additional support in these important business areas.
With these new appointments, Swimming WA continues our rebuild for future growth and support of the delivery of the Strategic Plan focusing on our core business of the athlete, the coach and the club. This is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of our swimming community and I look forward to continuing this rebuild in the new year with these vital appointments.
On a personal note, if I don’t see you at the State Champs this weekend, I wish every one of you a safe and happy festive season and I look forward to working with you all in 2022 for the benefit of our community.
Please note that the Swimming WA office will be closed from Tuesday 21st December at 1pm and reopening on Tuesday 4th January. We will be relocating offices to the new Sports HQ at Rugby WA on 11th January.
Warm regards,
Sophie Row
Swimming WA CEO
