Sport Integrity Australia Review of the WAIS Women's Artistic Gymnastics Program

Following the publication of the review’s final report, the Minister for Sport and Recreation directed the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) to consult with affected gymnasts to:

• oversee and audit WAIS' compliance with implementation of the Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) review recommendations
• facilitate a restorative and reconciliation process
• undertake a comprehensive governance and culture review of WAIS.

DLGSC has worked with the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime within the Department of Justice, WAIS, and the former gymnasts to facilitate a meaningful Restorative and Reconciliatory Process and establish a scheme to provide acknowledgement payments to eligible former WAIS WAG participants.

Athlete Safeguarding Governance and Culture Review of the Western Australian Institute of Sport 

Background on this review 

Following the 2022 Sport Integrity Australia review, the Minister for Sport and Recreation directed DLGSC to conduct a review of WAIS’ safeguarding governance and culture. 

The review 

The Athlete Safeguarding Governance and Culture Review of WAIS commenced in November 2023. 

DLGSC appointed KPMG Australia to perform the review, which was conducted in accordance with the  Terms of Reference - Athlete Safeguarding Governance and Culture Review of the Western Australian Institute of Sport, agreed between DLGSC and WAIS.   

The review considered governance and culture relating to athlete safeguarding and identified areas for improvement that will ensure WAIS is providing a safe and supportive environment for all athletes, now and in the future.  

It also considered WAIS policies and procedures in relation to athlete safeguarding, governance, oversight, culture and complaints handling.  

From the review a report has been prepared which follows an extensive consultation period. Stakeholders were engaged in a range of ways, including cultural perception surveys, in-person and virtual consultation sessions, and focus groups. 

WAIS has accepted, or accepted in principle, all of the recommendations KPMG Australia made in its review report. 

DLGSC will continue to work with WAIS to provide advice and support on implementing the recommendations. 

Please see below the Summary Report and Final Report. 

Restorative and Reconciliatory Process and Acknowledgement Payment Scheme

Sport Integrity Australia recommended that WAIS establish a Restorative and Reconciliatory Process with former WAIS WAG gymnasts. DLGSC and the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime worked with WAIS to establish this process. Expressions of interest for this process have now closed. Please contact childsafeguarding@dlgsc.wa.gov.au if you have any questions relating to the process. 

On 29 May 2024, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hon David Templeman MLA, announced an Acknowledgement Payment Scheme for eligible former WAIS WAG gymnasts. Applications to this Scheme closed on Saturday 31 August 2024. Applicants will be contacted to advise them of the outcome of their application as soon as possible.

What support is available?

Participants in the Restorative and Reconciliatory Process and/or applicants to the Acknowledgement Payment Scheme can access 6 one-hour counselling sessions. This counselling is intended to support participants with any difficult thoughts or feelings that may arise through their participation. Please contact WAISRestorativeEngagement@justice.wa.gov.au, or phone the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime on 1800 428 873 for further information.

If you require immediate counselling support, 24-hour phone assistance is available through:  

• Beyond Blue — telephone 1300 224 636
• Lifeline — telephone 13 11 14

If you experienced sexual abuse as a child while in the care of an institution, including WAIS, you can apply to the National Redress Scheme.

For more information on how to apply to the National Redress Scheme, please contact the child abuse support service knowmore or call 1800 605 762.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

If you have any questions about DLGSC’s actions in response to the Sport Integrity Australia report, please email childsafeguarding@dlgsc.wa.gov.au