ID :
16769
Sat, 08/23/2008 - 20:17
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/16769
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Swimming Qld funds cut despite success
Stephanie Rice's swimming coach Michael Bohl has slammed a state government decision to slash Swimming Queensland's funding.
Mr Bohl, an Australian Olympic swimming coach, said the cut in grass roots funding would result in Australia falling behind Great Britain, China and Japan in the poolat the 2012 Olympic Games.
Swimming Queensland chief executive Kevin Hasemann said the funding was set to fallby $150,000 in real terms over six years from an outlay of $280,000 last year.
However, state Sports Minister Judy Spence said the government would continue providing $250,000 per year to Swimming Queensland under a three-year program whichruns until 2010.
"Future funding levels (after 2010) for Swimming Queensland under the developmentprogram have not yet been determined," Ms Spence said.
The cuts come despite Queensland swimmers claiming six of the nation's 12 goldmedals in Beijing.
Mr Bohl, who was Swimming Queensland's coaching director from 1991 to 2002, saidgrass roots funding was the reason behind Australia's success in the pool.
"We need to be getting more money for grass roots, not less," Mr Bohl said.
"All swimmers have to come through these junior development programs.
"We'll lose swimmers that would go into the program to other sports." Mr Bohl said Queensland Olympic greats such as Stephanie Rice, Libby Trickett, Leisel Jones, Samantha Riley and Susie O'Neill were all beneficiaries of a well-runprogram in the past.
"It's just disappointing. There will be a direct impact for sure coming into thenext Olympics. It will happen that quickly.
"You think you would get funding dropped back if you weren't performing, but we are performing and bringing results." Opposition sports spokesman Mike Horan said Swimming Queensland had proven to be oneof the state's most successful sporting bodies and should be supported.
"These enormous funding cuts will surely spell the end of Queensland's reign in thepool," he said.
However. Ms Spence said other services were being provided by the state governmentto ensure Australia continued to dominate in the pool.
"This year, (Swimming Queensland) received $250,000 through the program and $75,000for special initiatives.
"We have recently agreed to provide an elite coach from the Queensland Academy of Sport specifically for Swimming Queensland to develop elite swimmers within their clubs, (which is) worth around $100,000 per year."
Mr Bohl, an Australian Olympic swimming coach, said the cut in grass roots funding would result in Australia falling behind Great Britain, China and Japan in the poolat the 2012 Olympic Games.
Swimming Queensland chief executive Kevin Hasemann said the funding was set to fallby $150,000 in real terms over six years from an outlay of $280,000 last year.
However, state Sports Minister Judy Spence said the government would continue providing $250,000 per year to Swimming Queensland under a three-year program whichruns until 2010.
"Future funding levels (after 2010) for Swimming Queensland under the developmentprogram have not yet been determined," Ms Spence said.
The cuts come despite Queensland swimmers claiming six of the nation's 12 goldmedals in Beijing.
Mr Bohl, who was Swimming Queensland's coaching director from 1991 to 2002, saidgrass roots funding was the reason behind Australia's success in the pool.
"We need to be getting more money for grass roots, not less," Mr Bohl said.
"All swimmers have to come through these junior development programs.
"We'll lose swimmers that would go into the program to other sports." Mr Bohl said Queensland Olympic greats such as Stephanie Rice, Libby Trickett, Leisel Jones, Samantha Riley and Susie O'Neill were all beneficiaries of a well-runprogram in the past.
"It's just disappointing. There will be a direct impact for sure coming into thenext Olympics. It will happen that quickly.
"You think you would get funding dropped back if you weren't performing, but we are performing and bringing results." Opposition sports spokesman Mike Horan said Swimming Queensland had proven to be oneof the state's most successful sporting bodies and should be supported.
"These enormous funding cuts will surely spell the end of Queensland's reign in thepool," he said.
However. Ms Spence said other services were being provided by the state governmentto ensure Australia continued to dominate in the pool.
"This year, (Swimming Queensland) received $250,000 through the program and $75,000for special initiatives.
"We have recently agreed to provide an elite coach from the Queensland Academy of Sport specifically for Swimming Queensland to develop elite swimmers within their clubs, (which is) worth around $100,000 per year."
