Fed: Volkers to remain as women's head coach

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Fed: Volkers to remain as women's head coach

SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - Australian Swimming (ASI) today said Scott Volkers would continueas Australia's head women's coach, despite calls for indecent dealing charges againsthim to be revived.

Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) yesterday criticised as unsatisfactorythe process leading to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropping charges againstMr Volkers.

Mr Volkers, currently in the United States with the national swimming team, was originallyinvestigated last year over incidents alleged to have taken place in the 1980s.

However, charges were dropped by the Queensland DPP two months after he was committedto stand trial.

Julie Gilbert, one of three women who accused Mr Volkers of molesting them, has calledfor him to be charged again.

ASI chief executive Glenn Tasker said he had sought legal advice after yesterday's CMC report.

"Lawyers have informed Australian Swimming that the CMC report does not confirm oroverturn the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision not to proceed with charges againstScott Volkers," Tasker said.

"As the allegations are unproven, Scott will continue to be part of the Australian swim team."

Queensland Police Union president Sergeant Gary Wilkinson described the DPP's handlingof Volkers' case as incompetent and said he hoped it was dealt with correctly a secondtime around.

"I understand a new brief has been prepared and I understand it will go to the DPP,"

he told ABC radio.

The charges, which Mr Volkers has vehemently denied, related to alleged indecent dealingagainst three girls 18 years ago when he was a junior swimming coach.

AAP he/mw/sp/ph/de

KEYWORD: VOLKERS SWIMMING