3 Western Australian Institute of Sport 2003/2004 Yearbook and Annual Report Challenge Stadium, Stephenson Avenue, Cover: Todd Pearson, Mt Claremont, Western Australia, 6010. Dual Olympian Swimmer PO Box 139, Claremont, 6910, Western Australia. Photo: Tony McDonough, Telephone 08 9387 8166 Facsimile 08 9383 7344 Newsline Australia Email: [email protected] Web: www.wais.org.au The Yearbook of the WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE of SPORT 2003/2004 4 5 Premier’s Foreword Contents Contents 4 The importance and value of the Western Australian Institute of Sport to the development of the nation’s sporting talent Premier’s Foreword 5 was never more evident than in the past year when this State Chairman’s Report 6 provided a record contingent of athletes for the pinnacle of sport – the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Executive Director’s Report 7 Fifty four men and women were chosen in 20 different WAIS Board 8 individual and team events – or over 11 per cent of the WAIS Purpose and Vision 8 Australian team total. In addition Western Australia provided seven coaches, a team doctor and 16 members of the WAIS Aims and Objectives 8 Australian Paralympics Team. WAIS Guiding Principals 9 All but a few professional athletes have been assisted under the WAIS program of providing talented and dedicated WAIS Structure 9 sportsmen and sportswomen with specialist coaching, WAIS Staff 10 facilities and the opportunity to achieve excellence in high performance sport from within their home environment. Hall of Champions 14 Obituaries 14 It is a magnificent record that brings credit not only to WAIS, but also to the thousands of volunteers throughout the State Athlete of the Year 15 who are at the grass roots of sport, serving as club administrators, coaches, officials, sponsors and supporters. Sport Programs 16 Individual Scholarship Program 18 Some of those chosen for Athens are novices who will Athletics 20 provide the backbone of our national teams in years to come. Baseball 21 Others are in the final years of competition at the top. All are Beach Volleyball 22 deserving of our gratitude for providing excellent role models Canoeing 23 for the whole community. Cycling 24 DR GEOFF GALLOP MLA On behalf of the Government and people of Western Australia Gymnastics 25 PREMIER I want to congratulate the WAIS Board of Directors, Chairman Hockey Men’s 26 Grant Boyce, Executive Director Steven Lawrence and the Hockey Women’s 27 Institute staff for their efforts in what has been an Netball 28 exceptionally busy year. Rowing 29 I also extend the Government’s appreciation to the corporate Softball 30 sponsors and supporters for the contribution they continue to Swimming 31 make to ensure our most talented athletes have opportunities Water Polo Men’s 32 to perform in national and international competition. I urge Water Polo Women’s 33 you all to continue that support. Development Squad 35 Athlete and Coach Services 36 Sport Science 38 Strength and Conditioning 39 Clinical Services 40 Dr Geoff Gallop MLA Talent Search 41 PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Athlete Career and Education 42 Corporate Services 43 Marketing and Sponsorship 44 Finance and Administration 46 Appendices 47 Major Title Winners 48 Australian Representatives 50 Coaching Achievements 52 Sponsors 54 The Yearbook of the WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE of SPORT 2003/2004 6 7 Chairman’s Executive Director’s Report Report State Government and Sponsors appropriate daily training environment exists for the elite and potential elite athlete. While we strive to provide this WAIS is conscious of the generous support that it receives environment in WA we recognise that at times we must from both the government and sponsors. The Government support the athlete to find the right conditions outside of the through Lotterywest contributed in excess of $3.2 million to state if they are to maximise their potential. In these WAIS in 2004 and they have recently announced increased situations we are focused on ensuring the athlete remains funding amounting to approximately $1.86 million over the linked to their home state. next Olympic cycle. I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Bob Kucera, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, WAIS has continued to evolve, as it must, in pursuing its purpose. for his invaluable and enthusiastic support throughout It is a tribute to the staff that they are building and refining the year. I also thank Mr Ron Alexander, the Director of the systems that will produce long-term sustainable results and Department of Sport and Recreation, and his staff for at the same time producing record numbers of Olympians. their assistance. WAIS is accommodated at Challenge Stadium The Board under the Chairmanship of Mr Grant Boyce has and our relationship with Mr Dennis McInerney, Chairman of ensured that the direction and focus of the institute has the WA Sports Centre Trust, and Mr Graham Moss, the Chief remained on the athletes and the future. The management Executive Officer, has always been beneficial and effective. team has played a key role in leading and managing the development of WAIS. Mr Kaushik Bhowmick joined WAIS in The Board and staff August 2003 as the Finance and Administration Manager. Kaushik has shown through his work a strong intent to The results that have been achieved this year would not have enhance WAIS through the application of his professional been possible without the tireless work of the Board and staff. knowledge and skills. Mr Frank Murray, Programs Manager, Mr Martin FitzSimons, Athlete and Coach Services Manager The Board will pursue the recasting of its strategic direction and Mrs Bourby Webster, Marketing Manager, have each led during the coming year with the intent to ensure that the their departments forward in support of WAIS’s purpose with institute continues capable of meeting its purpose and the high levels of skill and commitment expected of these achieving the outcomes expected. The Board lost the services quality staff. The Executive lost the services of Ms Jen Rayner of Mrs Elsma Merillo who decided not to seek reappointment. after three and a half years of outstanding contribution Elsma retired after 11 years on the Board, her contribution over to WAIS. Jen’s professionalism and enthusiasm will be missed GRANT BOYCE this long period of time has been outstanding. I thank all of the STEVEN LAWRENCE by all. Ms Nicki Atkinson has assumed the responsibilities of CHAIRMAN continuing Board members for their significant contribution and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR the Executive Assistant with her own high level of enthusiasm in particular The Deputy Chairman Mr Kevin Wealand. and commitment. The primary goal for WAIS is to assist athletes from Western One of the prime measures of WAIS’s success is the level Australia to compete successfully in the international sporting The successes of WAIS athletes is directly related to the of representation that Western Australian’s achieve on WAIS has been a positive contributor to the NESC initiated and arena. This year we witnessed the Olympic Games held in extraordinary efforts of Mr Steven Lawrence and his team who National Teams. As all Olympic sports are supported by WAIS ASC supported Quadrennium planning process. This process Athens which were a tremendous success and the performance have continued the tradition of WAIS being a leader amongst Olympic Team representation is an important benchmark for has seen National Sport Organisations document and present of our West Australian athletes outstanding. the State Institutes in Australia. The staff at WAIS are the the Institute. high performance plans for the Beijing Olympic cycle to the unsung heroes and I would like to especially acknowledge the ASC and Institute network. Utilising the knowledge gained Forty six current or former WAIS supported athletes gained Fifty four Western Australian athletes competed in Athens and significant contribution of the management team. during the process WAIS has already commenced formalising selection to the 2004 Australian Olympic Team. Those WA of those 46 were WAIS scholarship holders. This is a record partnerships with sport for the new Olympiad. The state athletes not supported by WAIS are either professional representation from WA and is just reward to the athletes, governments renewed and enhanced contribution to WAIS will athletes or have chosen to move to the AIS in Canberra on coaches and support staff that make significant sacrifices to ensure that WA continues to provide National Training Centre a permanent basis. WAIS is also very proud to have achieve their goals. We also acknowledge those athletes who programs for at least 14 programs across 12 sports through contributed to the 16 WA athletes selected to represent missed selection as they too made sacrifices attempting to to Beijing. We have been very pleased that the state and Australia at the Paralympics. These results are a tribute to qualify and indeed many of them achieved their personal best national sport organisations have shown strong support for our the coaching and specialist support staff who rose to the performances in the process. Grant Boyce continued relationship with them. Chairman challenge of ensuring that not only our core national team The 2004 Paralympics team also had a very strong Western WAIS Board members made selection but also numerous fringe athletes The challenges before WAIS are exciting and importantly with Australian representation with 16 team members, all of whom also gained the selectors nod. The continued strong selection the staff and resources available, achievable, if we execute our were WAIS scholarship holders. of WAIS staff to Olympic, Paralympic and other national teams plans with the passion and professionalism the Institute has demonstrates that our staff are nationally recognised for their become renown for. I look forward to working with the Board, There are many people who deserve acknowledgement for the quality and commitment.