Swimming coaches win unfair dismissal tribunal

Two swimming coaches were unfairly dismissed and subjected to "unfounded" comments about safeguarding concerns, an employment tribunal has found.

City of Oxford Swimming Club coaches Amanda Booth and Fabian Whitbread were suspended in April 2021 after signing a letter to members criticising the club's management committee.

An employment tribunal held in Reading found in favour of the pair, saying there was "no real concern" about any young swimmers being harmed.

The club has been contacted for comment.

The tribunal, held earlier this year, heard there had been disputes within the club, based at at Blackbird Leys in Oxford, during the Covid lockdowns with coaches claiming there had been an "erosion" of their roles.

They said the club's committee had intervened over squad issues, induction of new coaches and leave matters.

It culminated with coaches writing a letter to members on 5 March 2021 to highlight "the damage their actions were causing to the club, the swimmers, and the coaching staff”.

The tribunal heard the coaching team felt harassed by the behaviour of the committee, which they said was "undermining our position as professionals”.

In its ruling, it found the coaches had been accused of "false and unfounded" safeguarding issues during a special general meeting held on 1 April.

"There was no real concern about harm to any children by anyone on the committee yet the committee chose to gaslight the coaches during the [special general meeting] SGM by making enigmatic references to safeguarding concerns.

"For the sake of clarity, there were never any safeguarding concerns around any of the coaches," the tribunal finding said.

The coaches were suspended because of what the committee said was a breach of GDPR by unauthorised access to members' private information in sending the letter.

The tribunal concluded the coaches were "acting in the interests of the wider membership" when making the disclosures.

It said the new committee had "wanted to exert its authority" with the situation "further confused" by the backdrop of the pandemic working restrictions.

The pair were among five coaches who eventually resigned en mass in April 2021.

Both Ms Booth, who had 40 years of experience as a coach, and Mr Fairbarn were found to have been unfairly dismissed.

In a statement issued through the British Swimming Coaches Association (BASC), Ms Booth said the judgement "vindicates" the coaches involved.

"I hope this gives other coaches the inspiration and courage to stand up and fight for justice," she added.

A remedy hearing is due to take place on 9-10 December at Reading Tribunal Hearing Centre.

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