Coach steps down as Hockey Australia review advises of elite program’s 'dysfunctional culture'

A scathing independent review into an alleged culture of “bullying, body shaming and homophobic behaviour” within the Hockeyroos’ program has seen coach Paul Gaudoin step down from his role just four months before the Olympic Games.

Gaudoin stood down from his coaching role yesterday evening in advance of the release of the much-anticipated independent report into the culture of elite women’s hockey in Australia.

Gaudoin’s departure follows that of High Performance Director Toni Cumpston and Assistant Coach Steph Andrews over recent months.

While not revealing the full review into the program’s culture and governance this morning, Hockey Australia did make public a summary of the report’s findings which found “a dysfunctional culture within the National Women’s High Performance Program that is not conductive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success.”

Released more than a month later than expected, the 29 recommendations released by Hockey Australia resulted from a review undertaken by Bruce Collins QC, AFL Commissioner Gabrielle Trainor and former Matildas vice-captain Moya Dodd.

The panel investigated numerous alleged complaints by Hockeyroos players against the administration, interviewing more than 100 people.

In a joint statement, Hockey Australia Chief Executive, Matt Favier and President Melanie Woosnam acknowledged the governing body’s culture is “not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success” and pledged to rebuild the whole program.

Noting that the findings were “confronting and distressing”, the pair’s statement went on to say “broadly the review found a dysfunctional culture within the national women’s high-performance program that is not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success, and identified numerous areas for improvement

“While we have made a considerable investment over the last three years, including efforts to implement changes since the Rio cycle, this has not been enough to prevent rupturing of the squad’s cohesion, particularly with the uncertainty rendered by COVID-19 and the delay of the Tokyo Olympics.

“The process of this review has seen us all reflect seriously over the past months about what we could do better. The findings have been shared with the players and we will work with them to make changes to design and implement a cultural transformation program.”

Commenting on Gaudoin’s resignation just four months out from the Olympics, Favier went on to praise the outgoing coach, advising “in light of the release of the findings and recommendations from the independent review that has been undertaken, Paul informed Hockey Australia that he has decided to stand down from the role.

“The past 12 months have been a difficult and taxing time for everyone involved in the high performance program and especially the coaching staff. They have had to navigate the uncertainty of COVID while being an assuring and supportive presence for players, which Paul has done.

“He has conducted himself with integrity, devotion and commitment to the cause and done his utmost to improve the athletes, both as hockey players and as people.”

The Australian Hockey Players’ Association (AHPA) said it had been briefed on the findings and recommendations and “greatly appreciates” the positive meeting with Hockey Australia and the approach taken by the panel.

In a statement it explained “we look forward to seeing the strategy underpinning HA’s commitment to the PA that it is intent on working through the recommendations, focusing on the culture of the program(s) and the welfare of the players as the group prepares for Tokyo and beyond.”

The 29 recommendations made by the review include:

• The need to ensure an effective leadership model is implemented across all aspects of the high-performance program, including coaching, support staff and across the playing group;
• Striking an improved balance with the demands of the high-performance program and life outside of hockey;
• Ensuring engagement at every level from the board, senior management, coaches, support staff and players is safe and respectful;
• Improvements in a range of governance areas to ensure greater oversight and the tracking of culture of both men’s and women’s programs; and
• Embedding a culture of mutual respect and trust between all participants in the delivery of the high performance program.