Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

AOC promises to overhaul internal culture after damning review

AOC promises to overhaul internal culture after damning review
August 24, 2017

An independent review of the operations and management of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has highlighted that the body is out of step with the ideals of the Olympic movement and needs to rebuild trust and confidence with staff and stakeholders.

The independent review, undertaken by the Ethics Centre on behalf of the AOC, was undertaken after allegations of bullying within the organisation involving long-time media director Mike Tancred emerged earlier this year.

With the AOC’s own staff describing the organisation as being "out of step" and "dysfunctional", the review has delivered 17 key recommendations which the AOC has reportedly pledged to implement.

The report advised that “while staff and stakeholders hold the AOC in high regard and express immense pride in what the organisation has achieved over the years, they describe the organisation as being out of step  with both their ideals and minimum expectations for a modern organisation.

“Instead of seeing the organisation as celebrating the best of the Olympic ideals, staff and stakeholders speak of a more immediate horizon of challenges and difficulties that stem from a culture that is not aligned with the ideals that the organisation aspires to uphold.”

Lack of transparency was raised frequently in surveys and interviews, particularly in relation to important decisions about the treatment of staff or external stakeholders.

However, with the survey sent to the 45 national federations, only 12 were prepared to complete that document and send it back.

The report makes distinct appraisal of AOC President John Coates' performance in that he has been responsible for Australia being held in high regard around the world in Olympic circles.

A typically defiant Coates today addressed the media, outlining there had been "no confirmation of bullying" in the review while defending his position as President.

He stated “there has been some criticism of the senior leaders.

"I'm the President, not the senior leader being criticised. The only personal criticism has been my acrimonious relationship with some stakeholders, particularly (Australian Sports Commission Chairman) John Wiley.

"It's suggested that my response to him was not in keeping with the Olympic values but it's also been noted that my response was in protecting the independence and the autonomy of the AOC and also of ensuring that there was no interference in the lateral process, which is required."

AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll said the review provided a platform “to reset the organisation” as it looked ahead to the Tokyo Olympics.

Carroll advised “the AOC’s modes of operation that may at one time have served us well are being questioned and our organisational culture has come under scrutiny.”

The AOC said it would implement all 17 recommendations of the review, with three to be rolled out immediately: a review of the governance model; the establishment of a sub-committee of the executive to oversee the delivery of the recommendations; and the appointment of a dedicated people and culture resource.

Carroll added “the AOC executive acknowledges the reality of the challenge we face in this area and we are committed to build a culture that is fit for purpose and aligned to our exposed values and principles.

“The executive acknowledges to staff and stakeholders that there have been behaviours and practices that have not been aligned to the AOC’s values. I have a very strong view that you lead by the example you set. Not words, actions.”

In June, Tancred apologised for his “hurtful” and “inappropriate” conduct towards the organisation’s former Chief Executive Fiona De Jong, whose allegations were made last year but only came to light in April.

Tancred, who stood down from his position when the allegations emerged during a bitter AOC presidential campaign between John Coates and challenger Danni Roche, was cleared of bullying but reprimanded for “disreputable conduct”.

He remains stood down, on full pay, while a panel of former judges investigate four separate complaints made against him. He will discover his fate on 31st August.

Today has also seen the AOC announce that Ian Chesterman will be Australia’s Chef de Mission for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Chesterman, who has been on the AOC’s executive board since 2001, replaces Kitty Chiller, who stepped down from the position after last year’s challenging Rio Games.

He has experience of the role, having been Chef de Mission for Australia’s Winter Olympics teams since 1998.

5th July 2017 - AOC’S MIKE TANCRED GIVEN $125,000 BONUS DESPITE BULLYING ALLEGATIONS

14th June 2017 - MIKE TANCRED APOLOGISES FOR THREATENING FORMER AOC CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

9th June 2017 - AIS DIRECTOR MATT FAVIER MOVES TO HEAD HOCKEY AUSTRALIA

31st May 2017 - AOC MEDIA DIRECTOR MIKE TANCRED CLEARED OF BULLYING 

21st May 2017 - KIM BRENNAN APPOINTED AUSTRALIA’S CHEF DE MISSION FOR 2018 SUMMER YOUTH OLYMPICS

6th May 2017 - JOHN COATES WINS VOTE TO RETAIN AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENCY

27th April 2017 - AOC’S MIKE TANCRED STEPS DOWN FOLLOWING BULLYING ALLEGATIONS

24th April 2017 - AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE CALLS CRISIS MEETING AFTER THREAT ALLEGATIONS

13th April 2017 - AOC’S ANNUAL REPORT DETAILS $40,000 PAY RISE FOR JOHN COATES

28th March 2017 - FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN REPORTED DISPUTE WITH AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

AIS Water

AIS Water, the trading name of Australian Innovative Systems, is a multi-award winning, Australian owned leader in the design, production and supply of commercial and residential chlorine generators…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology

 
 

Augmented Creative

Augmented Creative is an open organization of like-minded and highly dedicated, creative people who conceive, plan and execute visual solutions. We pursue new and innovative visual ideas to help…

read more

Arts / Attractions / Consultants / Design / Tourism

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

Jonas Leisure

Jonas Software operates over 110 independently managed software brands around the world, providing them with the strategic guidance and financial security required to be leaders in their respective…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Fitness / Recreation / Sport

 
 

PaySmart

Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology

 
 

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 

Intelligenz Solutions

Intelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Marketing / Technology

 
 

Felton Industries

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…

read more

Parks / Play / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business