The Australian Swimmers’ Association (ASA) today announced the appointment of leading sports administrator and lawyer Brendan Schwab as ASA Chairman.
Newly elected ASA President, Brenton Rickard, has welcomed Schwab’s appointment.

“We are excited to have someone with Brendan’s knowledge, skills and experience working with the Australian Swimmers Association. This new appointment will help the ASA deliver more to the swimmers and the sport as a key stakeholder. The ASA  Executive and membership look forward to working with him over this next period.”

Schwab and expert in the negotiation of collective agreements in professional sport, is the Chief Executive and General Counsel of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), the exclusive collective bargaining agent and representative body of Australia’s elite professional footballers, including the Socceroos, Maltildas and A-League players. He also sits as a member of the Board of FIFPro, the world footballers’ union, is Chairman of FIFPro Asia, the division that represents players’ associations in Asia and Oceania and is a member of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber.

“This is an important time for the sport of swimming and its athletes,” Schwab said in response to his appointment. “I look forward to working with the ASA, its President Brenton Rickard and new General Manager Daniel Kowalski to assist in building a stronger Association and to further develop the partnership with Swimming Australia”

Schwab has a demonstrated commitment to the rights of all professional athletes and the well-being of Australian sport. A former Vice President of the AFL Club Richmond, he is a co-founder of the Australian Athletes’ Alliance (AAA), the peak body for Australian players’ associations in sports including AFL, football, rugby, rugby league, cricket, netball and swimming. He currently acts as the AAA’s part-time General Secretary.

“From my own personal experience in nearly two decades of involvement with player associations around the world, I have found that the most successful sports work effectively with their elite athletes through a strong athletes ‘association.” Schwab added.

Brendan holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Business Administration.