Western Australian Institute of Sport Governance and culture review looks for input

The Western Australian Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries has announced this week that the athlete safeguarding governance and culture review of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) has commenced and that contributions are invited.

In the wake of scathing reports about the WAIS’ culture, the review, being undertaken by audit and business management specialists KPMG, will consider the governance and culture at sporting body in relation to athlete safeguarding and will identify areas for improvement and make recommendations that will ensure it is providing a safe and supportive environment for all athletes, now and in the future.

It will also consider the at besieged government-funded body’s policies and procedures in relation to athlete safeguarding, governance, oversight, culture and complaints handling.

The review is currently seeking to engage participant groups involved in WAIS elite sporting programs within the past five years including current and former WAIS athletes, including children and young people, along with families of current and former athletes including parents and guardians.

Media reports have also indicated significant staff turnover at the WAIS.

The West Australian recently reported that up to 25 of the institute’s 60 staff have departed over the past two years, some leaving full-time jobs to accept part-time opportunities.

It follows the resignation of nine 10 board members after a 20-month hold-up to a restorative process for gymnasts who were abused by demanding coaches between 1987 and 2016.

Long-standing Chief Executive Steve Lawrence also quit after discussions with the new board, led by new Chair Neale Fong.

The exodus of directors left just the ex-officio member Jennifer McGrath, a Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Deputy Director General, from the original board.

She was joined in September ago by Dr Fong, a former WA Football Commission Chairman and Director General of the Department of Health, former Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Dreibergs, ex-Department of Premier and Cabinet head Darren Foster and Hockey WA Chief Executive Fabian Ross.

The Western Australian Government provides 90% of WAIS’s $11 million annual funding.

Click here for more information on the review.