Press Release

John Crowther appointed as the ASA's new chairman

16 September 2009

John Crowther has been appointed as the new ASA chairman and takes up his post from current chair Mel Goldberg following the Annual ASA Council meeting on 11th October 2009.

Crowther has a strong background in both sport and commerce having been a consultant to National Governing Bodies of sport, commercial companies and government in his executive role at Sports Ambition Ltd. He is also currently stakeholder and local organising committee chairman of the FINA World Diving Series at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

A former Chief Executive and main Board Director of the Lawn Tennis Association, as well as member of the National Olympic Committee at the British Olympic Association, Crowther will also be able to draw on his voluntary experience in work with Sports Leaders, England and Wales Cricket Board, North Yorkshire Sport Board and the Central Council for Physical Recreation.

He said "I am very much looking forward to taking up my new position with the ASA and making a strong impact on the sport. My many years of experience in business and with other sporting organisations will help the ASA continue to develop across a variety of areas."

The ASA's Chief Executive David Sparkes welcomes Crowther to the organisation and anticipates developing a strong partnership. "John has excellent leadership and management skills which coupled with his thorough knowledge of the work of the ASA make him the perfect person to take up this demanding role.

"On behalf of the board I would like to add my thanks and appreciation to outgoing chair Mel Goldberg. Over the last four years he has helped raise awareness of swimming as one of the best activities for improving health, supported us during the Beijing Olympics and worked with his associates in government to maximise the opportunities for aquatic funding."