A Sincere Apology from Swim England
8 January 2026
Swim England wants to extend a heartfelt apology to the swimmers, parents, and volunteers associated with the Ellesmere Titans Swimming Club, as well as to Ellesmere College. Our management of the club’s disaffiliation was not up to the standards we strive for. In fact, if we had adhered to these standards, there might have been a significant possibility that the club would not have faced disaffiliation in 2022. This is particularly true considering that the club's committee expressed a readiness to collaborate with Swim England to address existing safeguarding issues and that some serious allegations made against them were later proven to be untrue.*
We also recognize that had we properly managed the initial stages of Ellesmere College's application for affiliation, the process could have been expedited, leading to a quicker resolution.
We sincerely apologize to everyone affected by our shortcomings, which include:
* Insufficient engagement with relevant individuals to gather complete and accurate information, prompting us to act on anonymous tips—some of which we now know were inaccurate.*
* A lack of coherent and structured decision-making and inadequate executive oversight once concerns about our processes were raised.
* Neglecting to prioritize the welfare of the children impacted by the disaffiliation.
* Delaying a thorough review of the situation after receiving new information indicating that some allegations were indeed false.*
Moreover, during the time these issues were being addressed, Swim England did not have an effective complaints policy in place, which hindered the proper raising and investigation of these matters. Consequently, the Board did not adequately respond when these issues were brought to their attention.
We are grateful to those who voiced concerns regarding the inadequacies in Swim England’s procedures and its handling of this situation, as your input has shed light on necessary improvements for the benefit of everyone within our aquatic community. We recognize the determination it took to have these failings thoroughly examined and the significant impact it has had on all parties involved.
Additionally, we want to express our gratitude to those who initially reported safeguarding concerns to Swim England. It is crucial for everyone—both individuals who raise safeguarding issues and those accused of breaches—to trust that such matters will now be addressed through a process that is confidential, thorough, and just.
Our review has also illuminated problems related to the culture within the aquatic community, particularly concerning how swimmers from Ellesmere College were treated. We want to make it explicitly clear that any form of toxic environment, where swimmers face "shaming" or exclusion due to current or past safeguarding concerns linked to their clubs or schools, will not be accepted. We encourage all members of our community to foster and uphold the positive culture that we aspire to cultivate.
*Note: This statement does not pertain to findings and actions resulting from an initial Swim England safeguarding investigation involving Ellesmere Titans Swimming Club that concluded in July 2021. Instead, it relates to allegations reviewed in a subsequent investigation that was completed in January 2022, which led to the club's disaffiliation.
