Two Oxford swimming coaches were unfairly dismissed and accused of "false and unfounded" safeguarding concerns, an employment tribunal has found.

City of Oxford Swimming Club coaches Amanda Booth and Fabian Whitbread were suspended in April 2021 after signing a letter to swimmers and parents which criticised the club's management committee.

Ms Booth had 40 years of experience as a swimming coach and became head coach at the club - which is based at Blackbird Leys in Oxford - in 2010.

An employment tribunal ruled in favour of the pair, saying the committee "chose to gaslight the coaches" by making "enigmatic references to safeguarding concerns".

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The tribunal heard there had been disputes within the club during the Covid lockdowns surrounding the club's committee's intervention of leave matters, the induction of new coaches and squad issues.

This resulted in coaches writing a letter to members on March 5, 2021.

In the letter they said they felt "harassed" by the behaviour of the committee, which they said was "undermining our position as professionals”.

The tribunal ruling found the coaches had been accused of "false and unfounded" safeguarding issues during a special general meeting (SGM) held on April 1. 

The club trains at Leys Pools and Leisure Centre The club trains at Leys Pools and Leisure Centre (Image: Noor Qurashi) "There was no real concern about harm to any children by anyone on the committee yet the committee chose to gaslight the coaches during the SGM by making enigmatic references to safeguarding concerns," the tribunal finding said.

"For the sake of clarity, there were never any safeguarding concerns around any of the coaches."

Following the letter being sent, the coaches were removed from Swim Manager - a software system specifically designed for use by swimming clubs - and all WhatsApp groups with the squads.

The coaches were then suspended because of what the committee said was a breach of GDPR and conspiring to undermine the committee.

However, the tribunal concluded the coaches were "acting in the interests of the wider membership" when making the "qualifying disclosure". 

"There was genuine opposition to the actions taken and in expressing their views to the respondent and to wider membership the claimants had a reasonable belief that they were acting in the public interest as not only did the various decisions affect the claimants personally, but they impacted on the service provided to the membership," the tribunal finding said.

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The pair - who were among five coaches who eventually resigned in April 2021 - were both found to have been unfairly dismissed after a three year wait. 

In a statement issued through the British Swimming Coaches Association (BSCA), Ms Booth said she hopes this gives other coaches the "inspiration and courage to stand up and fight for justice".

She added: "This was only possible because of my membership of the BSCA.

"I cannot stress how importance it is for coaches to be part of this unique organisation."

A remedy hearing is set to take place on December 9 and 10.

The club has been contacted for comment.

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