Brian McGuinness, a swimming coach, has been banned from all Swim England activities for five years due to his bullying and intimidation while in a position of authority. A six-year investigation into the Wyre Forest Swimming Club in Kidderminster revealed that a culture of fear prevented individuals from reporting abuse.
The investigation, which concluded in January, revealed that McGuinness had repeatedly criticised children, called them derogatory names, and made comments about their body image and weight. It was also determined that McGuinness “used his position of power and trust to prevent them from speaking out.”
The chief executive of Swim England recently apologised to swimmers across the country who have endured abuse and vowed to do everything possible to eradicate a bullying culture.
McGuinness has over 40 years of experience in the swimming industry and is the executive director of the British Swimming Coaches Association (BSCA). As a result of the investigation, he resigned as head coach of the Wyre Forest Swimming Club. He denies the allegations, but admits to violating social media guidelines and child transportation regulations.
In light of the investigation, Swim England has requested that Wyre Forest Swimming Club conduct an internal review of its safeguarding practises and foster a culture in which all members’ voices are heard.
This is not the first investigation into the swimming scene in the Midlands in 2018. Two coaches at the now-defunct Ellesmere College Titans were suspended in 2021, and the club’s director of swimming, Alan Bircher, remains suspended following an investigation by Swim England. After four months, however, coach Danny Proffitt returned to Shropshire college, and Ellesmere College now operates its own swimming academy affiliated with City of Leicester Swimming Club so that its students can compete.
Swim England is currently conducting an independent investigation into the closure of Ellesmere College and its handling of parent and committee complaints.
Following an investigation into bullying and intimidation at Kidderminster’s Wyre Forest Swimming Club, renowned swimming coach Brian McGuinness has been banned for five years from all Swim England activities. During a six-year period, McGuinness criticised children, called them names, degraded them, and made comments about their body image and weight, according to the investigation. It also revealed a culture of fear within the club, where McGuinness allegedly used his position of authority to prevent individuals from speaking out.
McGuinness denied the majority of the allegations, but admitted to violating social media guidelines and child transportation regulations. In January, he resigned as head coach of the Wyre Forest Swimming Club on the same day he was suspended.
The chief executive of Swim England recently apologised to swimmers across the country who have endured abuse and vowed to do everything possible to eradicate a bullying culture. In response, the governing body has requested that Wyre Forest Swimming Club conduct an internal review of its safeguarding practises and foster an environment in which all members can be heard.
This is not the first prominent safeguarding investigation in the swimming world of the Midlands this year. Two coaches at the now-defunct Ellesmere College Titans were suspended in 2021, and Swim England is currently conducting an independent review into the club’s dissolution and how it handled complaints from parents and committee members.
In conclusion, Brian McGuinness’s suspension from all Swim England activities serves as a crucial reminder that bullying will not be tolerated within the sport.
