Hockey Australia chief executive Matt Favier quits on eve of Olympics

Hockey Australia’s chief executive Matt Favier has quit, joining the growing exodus after a review into the sport’s problems.

The Hockeyroos are preparing for an Olympic assault as more upheaval goes on off the pitch. Picture: Getty Images

Hockey Australia’s chief executive Matt Favier has quit after four years in charge of one of Australia’s most beloved and successful Olympic sports.

Favier has announced he will vacate the role immediately after the Tokyo Olympics ends on August 6.

“It has been my absolute privilege and pleasure to have served the sport of Hockey in Australia and while it hasn’t been without its challenges, I leave knowing the sport is well placed to continue a bright and successful future,” he said.

Hockey Australia boss Matt Favier has quit his post as chief executive. Picture: AAP

The Hockey Australia Board has accepted Favier’s resignation, with President Mel Woosnam praising his contribution.

“During his tenure, Matt has always focused on getting the best outcome for the sport and has successfully expanded its footprint,” she said.

“He has been instrumental in leading Hockey Australia’s bid to be a foundation partner in the FIH Pro League and in conjunction with the Member Associations developed and implemented the inaugural Hockey One League.“

Favier is just the latest in a long line of senior staff at Hockey Australia to have left the national body in the past eight months, including the head coach Paul Gaudoin, the high performance director Toni Cumpston, the assistant coach Steph Andrews and a handful of staff and directors.

Their exits followed the release of a scathing independent review into the national women’s program, which was described as “dysfunctional” and “not conducive to athlete wellbeing.

The review recommended 29 changes be made to the way the sport has run which Hockey Australia said it would implement.

The investigation was ordered after reports from dozens of women about body-shaming, bullying and intimidation that led to players developing serious eating disorders, self-harming and walking away from the sport.

A former director of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Favier took over as Hockey Australia boss in 2017 after earlier reports of problems in the program following the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Originally published as Hockey Australia chief executive Matt Favier quits on eve of Olympics