Equestrian South Australia chair Joe Hooper resigns as crisis engulfs board
THE head of Equestrian SA, which is in crisis over issues including allegations of bullying of children, has quit over what he claims are attempts at undue influence over the board.
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THE head of Equestrian SA, which is in crisis over issues including allegations of bullying of children, has quit over what he claims are attempts at undue influence over the board.
Joe Hooper resigned without notice on Monday night, amid claims the under siege sport is being ripped apart by factional infighting.
Mr Hooper, who is also chief executive of the SA branch of the Australian Medical Association, said there had been “multiple attempts” to influence the ESA board over the past fortnight.
“I’ve resigned on the principle that I believe the make-up of the ESA board should not be influenced by coercion and factionalism,” Mr Hooper said.
“Appointments to the board must follow a proper constitutional process.
“My final act as chair was to establish the process for the election of directors that will allow for the will of the members.”
The Advertiser last week reported ESA is facing a class action from disaffected members after the organisation passed on their private details to a third party, Melbourne-based digital company, SportsPass.
ESA is currently conducting an investigation, headed by a former police officer, into allegations that at least one member of staff bullied two children at a junior event earlier this year.
Confirming the resignation, ESA acting executive officer Jacqui Lang said the organisation was waiting on legal advice “for all matters”.
“But as far as members are concerned, all other ESA business is currently running normally,” she said.
Child protection advocate and former ESA member Maggie Dawkins, who last week spoke out against bullying and abuse in the sport, said the continued “mayhem and upheaval” at ESA should see intervention at the “highest government levels”.
“The ESA situation is not an environment conducive to the safety and wellbeing of children,” she said.
“This is a dangerous sport, a recipient of government funding. It is made all the more dangerous because of its questionable administration and governance issues and it’s past time for intervention at the highest government levels.”
Mr Hooper’s resignation leaves ESA without a sufficient number of board directors to form a quorum.
There are five vacancies, including that of Ms Lang, who was seconded from the board last month to fill in for Sharon Cimarosti as executive officer.
Ms Cimarosti was due to return to work on Monday after four weeks annual leave but Ms Lang told The Advertiser she remained on leave and there was no firm date on when she would return.
A decision of the board to call a special general meeting for August to fill three casual vacancies looks certain to be challenged by disaffected members who believe the conditions for the meeting do not meet ESA’s constitutional requirements.