Swimming: Cameron resignation confirmed

Jan Cameron has stepped down. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Swimming New Zealand high performance manager Jan Cameron officially resigned today and will leave her post on Friday,

Cameron said in a statement.

"There has been much speculation about both the High Performance Programme, and my role in it, since the release of the SPARC commissioned Ineson Report in June. As I have said publicly, I do not agree with many of the observations in the Ineson Report. However, I also recognise that ongoing debate and dispute regarding high performance swimming in New Zealand is not in the best interest of the sport.

"Swimming New Zealand has a proposal, in response to the Ineson Report, and SPARC's wishes for high performance swimming moving forward. In light of that proposal, and following discussions with Swimming New Zealand, I have decided to stand aside from my current role to allow the Board at Swimming New Zealand to implement the changes they wish to.

"I will miss being involved with the preparation of our high performance swimmers for London 2012 and beyond. The progress of our hard working and dedicated athletes over the last few years has been outstanding. The recent haul of 12 medals at the World University Games in Shenzhen surpassed our total medal tally at these championships over the last 22 years. Similarly, our performance at the recent World Championships in Shanghai (where the team set seven new national records, and a number of athletes met or surpassed qualifying times for London), is something the country can also be proud of.

"In leaving this role I wish the athletes, and all at Swimming New Zealand, well for London 2012 and the future. I will now take some time to consider options I have for my next involvement in sport or business.''

Swimming New Zealand CEO Mike Byrne said that Cameron had made an immense contribution to the development of the sport in this country.

Byrne said Swimming New Zealand wanted to publicly pay respect for Cameron's outstanding contribution.

"Jan has had significant input into the development of our leading swimmers over the last decade, establishing North Shore as the most successful club in the country which led to the inclusion of a swimming facility when the Millennium Institute was constructed.

"She has been at the forefront as a coach at North Shore, then as Head Coach for the High Performance Centre at Millennium during which time New Zealand has enjoyed an unparalleled breadth of internationally competitive swimmers, including a world champion, a fourth placing at the Olympics and multi-medals at the Commonwealth Games and other international competition.''