Alan Thompson is a former Australian swimming coach, who was once the head coach of the Australian swimming team.[1] He was appointed to the role in January 2005 following the resignation of Leigh Nugent after the 2004 Athens Olympics. He took a redundancy package from Swimming Australia in January 2010 and Nugent was re-appointed to the role.[2] Thompson was previously a school teacher.[3]
Thomson was an official Olympic Swimming Team Coach for the 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing) Olympics.[4]
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Thompson ran his own swim school (Alan Thompson’s Swim School), at the Campbelltown Swimming Centre in south/western Sydney from 1987 to 2004. During this period he was also the Head Coach of the Whitlam Swim Team from 1995 to 2004 and Elite Training Centre Coach at the New South Wales Institute of Sport from 2001 until 2004.[5]
Thompson has served as coach or manager at local, State and International levels. Apart from Olympic competitions he has worked at:[5]
He has also served as a committee member or office holder of many state, National and International swimming organisations.[5]
Thompson has received several awards in recognition of his work.[5]
Australian Gold Licence / Level 3, National Coaching Accreditation Scheme[5]
In early December 2009 Thompson took personal leave following a claim of "inappropriate behaviour". Swimming Australia (SA) chief executive Kevin Neil said an "anonymous and unsubstantiated" claim of inappropriate behaviour had been brought to the national body's attention regarding Thompson. Neil also said the allegation, which was not a claim of assault and is not a criminal matter, would be independently investigated by Swimming Australia. The claim was brought to Swimming Australia's attention by the media.[9]
On 10 December 2009 it was reported that Swimming Australia had appointed Canberra barrister Louise Donohoe to lead the inquiry into the allegation against Thompson.[10]
Alan Thompsons solicitor was Jim Marsden.[11]
On 12 April 2010, the final findings of the enquiry were presented to the board of Swimming Australia. The board found "there was no evidence found to support the allegation of inappropriate behaviour made against Mr Thompson".[2] An 'out of session' board meeting was held on 13 April to discuss the findings. In a statement on its website Swimming Australia said it will not be making further comment as it considers "This matter is now closed".[12]
Thompson, a long-time supporter of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs rugby league club, was appointed general manager of its football operations on 15 April 2010.[13]