Swim Ireland members today passed a motion that will ensure gender balance of 60/40 on the company Board of Directors. At the Company Annual General Meeting, held virtually for the first time, members unanimously voted in favor of the motion to implement gender balance at Board level.

In keeping with good governance practice the Board had recommended the insertion of an Article that will have the effect of ensuring that the Board must consider the balance of gender as vacancies arise. This is consistent with Action 32 of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 which tasks National Governing Bodies (NGBs) with developing Equality Action Plans and setting gender diversity targets. Swim Ireland was the first national governing body for sport to adopt the Voluntary Code of Governance, many years ago now and strives to at all times be at the forefront in this area.

Speaking at the conclusion of the AGM, Swim Ireland Chair Peter Conway commented ‘It was fantastic to see so many members involved in today’s virtual AGM, a first for Swim Ireland, but a way of operating that we have all become accustomed to over the past four months. We had great engagement and debate and I’m delighted that our membership voted in favour of all of the motions and overwhelmingly in favor of the gender balance motion, it is appropriate that our board is balanced and diverse. The next step is to develop and launch a gender balance policy to our membership that can be implemented at club, regional as well as national level’.

Today’s AGM concluded with a new Board of seven male and four female members (60/40) including Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, four regional representatives, two skill set directors (members) and the two independent directors. We would like to thank the outgoing Directors for their tremendous contribution and welcome the new board members into the fold.

Other motions passed at today’s AGM included; a change to the term of office of the President from inauguration at the Swim Ireland Awards to the AGM meaning Eugene Hillick from Ulster will continue to deliver in the role until April 2021, when a representative from Connacht will take up the position.

Amendments to a number of committees as follows –

  • The addition of a Governance Committee as one of the Standing Committees of the Company.
  • Amendment to allow Independent Directors to serve on the Audit Committee.
  • Removal of the Official’s Committee as a Standing Committee of the Company.
  • Removal of the requirement for elections to the Nominations Committee at the AGM

Finally, an amendment to specifically provide for virtual attendance at a general meetings of the company going forward, was passed.