Swimming WA Board Appoints CEO
The Board of the Western Australian Swimming Association Inc. (“Swimming WA”) is pleased to announce that Ms. Sophie Row has been appointed Chief Executive Officer following a thorough recruitment process.
Swimming WA Acting President Dorothy Harris is excited for the future of swimming and offered, “I am really proud of the process our Association has been able to run in our search for a new CEO. We have been fortunate enough to secure the pro bono support of global executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles who have been excellent in guiding us through this process. The role attracted over 100 applications and Ms. Row’s appointment is the result of a rigorous and testing process. I believe that Ms. Row has the ideal skills and experience to lead our Association in accordance with our SPIRIT values”. Ms. Harris added, “Ms. Row is an ideal choice and I along with SWA Board look forward to seeing where Ms. Row can take our Association and expect that her impact will be significant in fostering a partnership with all our stakeholders towards a successful period in the history of our Sport”
Ms. Row has been instrumental in managing change and driving growth in a number of sports clubs in WA as well as in her recent role as Executive Officer at Masters Swimming WA. She is passionate about driving positive organisational culture through strategic planning, good governance, and transformational leadership.
Ms. Row possesses an MBA and is a Member of the AICD and AIM WA. She currently serves on the boards of SportWest and Triathlon WA, is a member of the leadership team of Women in Sport, an informal networking group established to support and advocate for women working and volunteering in the sport sector, and a former board member of Volleyball WA. Ms. Row also plays a lead role in the Aquatic Sports Steering Group, representing the pool-based aquatic sports.
Holding a strong connection with swimming, having represented WA in both swimming and water-polo, Ms. Row states, "As a former competitor myself, swimming holds a special place in my heart and I'm excited to be returning to my roots. I am thrilled to have been selected to lead this truly iconic sport that forms such an integral part of our lifestyle in WA. I am excited to bring my expertise in sports management and organisational culture to Swimming WA for the benefit of all our stakeholders and in particular, the swimmers. I am very much looking forward to working with our passionate and committed team of staff and volunteers to help achieve success in the pool at Tokyo and beyond.”
Ms. Row will assume the role of CEO effective 27th April.
Dorothy Harris
Acting President
