WAIS boss steps down

The WA Institute of Sport will commence a national search for a new boss after its long-serving chief executive stepped down following discussions with the new board.

It comes after Sports Minister David Templeman overhauled the board and appointed former WA Football Commission chairman and ex-hospital boss Neale Fong as chairman earlier this month.

Steven Lawrence said his decision to step down was taken after discussions with the new board.

He said he was leaving confident that he had served WAIS with loyalty, integrity and commitment.

“I am immensely proud of WAIS’ record of success and the large number of athletes who have realised their sporting dreams and achieved their potential,” said Mr Lawrence.

“Those athletes, and all the WAIS staff who have worked, and continue to work with them have been inspirational for the next generation and deserve recognition and the pride of the Western Australian community.

“The opportunity to represent WAIS in the national sports system and ensure the Institute and WA are appropriately recognised and valued for their ability to contribute to Australia’s national sporting teams has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role as CEO.”

Recently minted chair Neale Fong said the former boss had given significant service to sport in WA.

But he said it was the right time for the institute to move forward under new leadership.

“The focus of the new board and executive leadership at WAIS will be on implementing the WAIS 2032+ strategic plan ‘Nurturing High Performance’ as we head into the Green and Gold Runway to the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032 and ensuring good governance and a culture within which both athletes and staff can continue to thrive,” he said.

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

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

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 later appointed KPMG to undertake the process.