Minister overhauls WAIS board

Former WA Football Commission chairman and ex-hospital boss Neale Fong has been appointed chair of the troubled Western Australian Institute of Sport among other board changes.

Also appointed to the board are former deputy police commissioner Gary Dreibergs, former senior public servant Darren Foster and Hockey WA boss Fabian Ross.

It comes after nine out of the 10-person strong board recently resigned, leaving only Jennifer McGrath, a deputy director general at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

The remaining five vacant board positions are expected to be announced in the coming week, according to Sports Minister David Templeman. 

The board overhaul follows a scandal-plagued two years spurred from claims of abuse from women in WAIS' gymnastics program.

“Following the resignation of the WAIS board chair and five board members, I have taken decisive action to ensure the restorative justice process with the former gymnasts can begin," Mr Templeman said.

“Cabinet has endorsed the appointment of Dr Neale Fong as board chair, and the appointment of Darren Foster, Fabian Ross and Gary Dreibergs, effective immediately.

“I expect to make further announcements about board appointments in the coming week."

In June 2022, federal government agency Sport Integrity Australia conducted a review of WAIS’ gymnastics program, from 1984 to 2016, which unearthed allegations that participants experienced harmful behaviour and practices.

Following the report, the state government announced it would undertake a cultural and governance review and in February launched an open tender process to appoint a consultant to undertake the independent review.

Mr Templeman said he expected to provide an update on the review this week. 

“I also expect to make an announcement about the culture and governance review, which went out for tender earlier this year, within the coming days," he said

"I have publicly stated that I am frustrated with the delays; however I am now confident that WAIS is on a good footing.”

WAIS' new chairman Dr Fong has held numerous positions across a multitude of industries, including sport, health and with ASX-listed companies 

During his tenure as a director general of the Department of Health, Dr Fong was the subject of an ACCC investigation into alleged misconduct.

He also held several roles with private hospitals, namely as chief executive of St John of God Subiaco and chair and then chief executive of Bethesda Hospital in Claremont