- Three new Board Directors appointed to Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Board
- New board members committed to restorative justice process
- Culture and governance review into WAIS is underway
The Cook Government has appointed three new Board Directors to the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Board, building on the previous new appointments by the Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman to focus on governance and restorative justice.
Sailing Olympic gold medallist Elise Rechichi OAM, former journalist Colleen Egan, and Curtin University research fellow Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM have commenced in their roles this month.
Ms Rechichi OAM has a strong commitment to gender equity and athlete wellbeing. She is a former WAIS scholarship holder (2003-2013) and dual Olympian, currently holding the position of Head of Performance Strategy at Paralympics Australia.
Ms Egan is a former journalist best known for her Walkley Award-winning work on the wrongful conviction of Perth man Andrew Mallard. She is now an independent consultant.
Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM, who works in the fields of Australian Aboriginal identity and self-esteem, has competed in elite level sports as a member of the Women’s National Basketball League and the Western Australian State Basketball League.
The appointments finalise recent board changes following the resignation of former members. The Board Directors appointed are:
- Dr Neale Fong (Chair);
- Gary Dreibergs;
- Colleen Egan;
- Darren Foster;
- Kaylene Gulich;
- Cheryl Kickett-Tucker;
- Elise Rechichi;
- Fabian Ross; and
- Peta Slocombe.
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Deputy Director General Jennifer McGrath currently holds an ex-officio position on the board.
The Cook Government remains committed to the restorative justice process between WAIS and former athletes involved in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Program between 1987 and 2016.
WAIS is an independent organisation that receives the majority of its funding from the State. That funding supports the institute to provide pathways for athletes to safely progress to elite levels, such as the Olympics or Paralympic Games.
A culture and governance review into WAIS is underway.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
“I congratulate Elise Rechichi, Colleen Egan and Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker on their appointment to the board.
“Each of them is highly respected in their respective fields, bringing knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to the board.
“The strong leadership skills and diversity of the board members will help to ensure that this is an opportunity to reflect, renew and do the right thing by all athletes who come through WAIS – past, present, and future.
“The clear focus now is on actions to address previous issues and guide future growth to ensure WAIS is worthy of the trust and pride Western Australians place in the institute.”
