Contribution of WAIS head praised

10/7/01
Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter said the director of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Wally Foreman, who announced his resignation today, has made an enormous contribution to sport in the State.
Mr Carpenter said he was very sorry to see Mr Foreman leave to pursue other interests but understood the decision after serving 17 years in what is one of the most difficult sporting positions in WA.
"Wally has created one of the finest institutes for elite sport in the nation, which has developed an impressive list of WAIS athletes who have added much to our sporting culture," he said.
"That list includes Emma George (athletics), Darren Hill (cycling), Andrew Vlahov (basketball), Alison Inverarity (athletics), Damien Martyn (cricket), Luc Longley (basketball), Craig Parry (golf), Allana Slater (gymnastics), Rechelle Hawkes (hockey) and Jennifer Reilly (swimming).
"WAIS has been essential in encouraging our talented sports people and providing the expertise, facilities and competition for them to remain in WA.
"Without WAIS, many of our sporting stars would have been forced to leave the State."
Mr Foreman was appointed inaugural director 17 years ago and since then WAIS has provided sophisticated coaching and science services to more than 400 WA athletes.
"WAIS started with 22 Olympic representatives in six sports and it is to his credit that the institute now has 51 representatives in 20 sports," Mr Carpenter said.
"As a result of the institute's work, WA had its best-ever Olympic result last year, with a record eight Western Australians winning gold medals and the State contributing 31 per cent of Australia's total tally."
In recognition of Mr Foreman's contribution to sport in the State, he was named WA Citizen of the Year in 2000 by the Celebrate WA Committee.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9213 6800