O&M Aquatics Action Group spokesman Jack Baker told a public meeting on Thursday night that the manager for Albury and Wodonga pool wanted to halt publicity 

“They have told us not to do any media, they don’t want that, they don’t want this story going around because it impacts negatively on them, so I suggest get out there,” Mr Baker told the audience at Albury’s Albion Hotel.

“We’re not the bad guys, we just want to be able to do what we do for a long time to come and this is going to stop that from happening.” 

Aligned Leisure Border transition manager Ben Tudhope rejected Mr Baker’s declaration.

“It’s certainly not the case at all,” Mr Tudhope said.

“We did talk around certain elements and particularly around the treatment of Aligned Leisure staff but nothing in relation to that (media gag).” 

Mr Tudhope said that since the chatter over lane fees had flared there had been incidents of intimidation with staff at the Twin Cities pools.

Mr Baker called on the meeting crowd not to take grievances out on Aligned Leisure staff and to keep commentary online “respectful” and “professional”.

Mr Tudhope welcomed that action.

Water polo players and swimmers voted on Thursday night not to accept an offer by Aligned Leisure to sign up to five-year deals involving lane fees beyond this season.

Mr Tudhope declined to specify exactly what his company would do in response.

“Our priority is working with the clubs and continuing with the conversation,” he said.