Jon Rudd to Step Down as Swim Ireland National Performance Director

Swim Ireland wish Jon Rudd well as he moves on from his role as National Performance Director

After an eight-year tenure, Jon Rudd is to move on from his role as National Performance Director for Swim Ireland after overseeing Ireland’s most successful Performance swimming period to date, culminating in the Irish swimming team returning from the Paris Olympic Games with three swimming medals – the first since 1996. Rudd will transition from his Swim Ireland role in June to become the High Performance Director (Swimming) for the Saudi Arabia Olympic & Paralympic Committee, working in close partnership with the Saudi Swimming Federation.

Rudd’s appointment in 2017 marked the commencement of the most successful period for Irish swimming and diving at both junior and senior level, with their first World, Olympic and European records achieved during this time, courtesy of Daniel Wiffen, alongside the first Irish World Championships medals and first-ever swimming medals for Northern Ireland at a Commonwealth Games.

Now into his ninth year on the island, Rudd stated that as the Paris Games came to a close, it was the natural time to consider a new professional opportunity. “There is no doubt in my mind that Swim Ireland is a truly great governing body, one that is totally committed to Performance aquatics via a highly supportive Board and CEO and having significant positive impacts on and for the people on the island year on year. The position in Saudi Arabia is one that I have been discussing with them over recent months, and they have a huge ambition to develop a whole host of Olympic and Paralympic sports in the nation, with swimming being a key part of this equation,” Rudd said.

Rudd went on to say, “I have very much enjoyed my time in Ireland, and it quickly became home, providing me with an opportunity to work with a wonderful group of staff, athletes, and coaches throughout this time. I will certainly miss the people and the role, but it is time for something fresh, and the role in Saudi Arabia very much presents this.”

CEO Sarah Keane said, “While we are sad to see Jon leave, we fully respect his decision. Jon can be proud of his time at Swim Ireland and has been a fantastic leader for the organisation. We have significantly advanced the performance programme during his stewardship, which is a testament to his work and the work of his team together with Irish clubs, coaches, and athletes. Irish performance aquatics is in a very strong position, both nationally and internationally. We look forward to continuing to build on the success of the Paris cycle as we look ahead to LA 2028 and beyond. ”

Swim Ireland’s current Head of Performance Pathways & Operations Andrew Reid will step up into the vacant Performance Director position for an interim period whilst the national governing body considers its options for the Los Angeles cycle and beyond. Reid has worked in the Swim Ireland Performance team since 2010. A former Irish international swimmer himself, Reid will provide an experienced and steady handthrough this summer’s international calendar, having worked closely with Rudd in recent years at both a strategic and operational level.

Andy Reid said, “I’m honoured to step into the role as Interim National Performance Director role after 15 great years guiding junior Irish National teams and senior Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games teams. I’m excited to support stability and progress as we look to Glasgow 2026 and Los Angles 2028 and am grateful to Jon Rudd for his leadership and mentorship over the last 8 years.”

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