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This was published 3 years ago
‘Dysfunctional’: Scathing hockey culture report released
By Greg Baum
Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin has resigned in the wake of a scathing review that found “dysfunctional culture and leadership” in the sport “not conducive to athlete wellbeing or sustained on-field success”.
Gaudoin’s resignation after five years in charge follows the departures of high-performance director Toni Cumpston and assistant coach Steph Andrew in recent months. It means the three-time Olympic champions but latterly embattled Hockeyroos are starting again from scratch, less than four months to go before the Tokyo Games.
Former Hockeryoos coach Paul Gaudoin.Credit: Getty Images
The review was launched in December last year when festering bitterness and rancour within the sport spilled into the public domain. It was later revamped amid fears about its independence. The reporting panelists were Bruce Collins QC, AFL commissioner Gabrielle Trainor and Moya Dodd, a former Australian women’s soccer team member.
In a statement, Hockey Australia said: “This outcome has been confronting and distressing for Hockey Australia, its management, board, athletes and staff.
“While we have made a considerable investment over the last three years, including efforts to implement changes since the Rio cycle, this has not been enough to prevent rupturing of the squad’s cohesion, particularly with the uncertainty rendered by COVID-19 and the delay of the Tokyo Olympics.
“The process of this review has seen us all have significant reflections over the past months. The findings have been shared with the players and we will work with them to make changes to design and implement a cultural transformation program.”
The Hockeyroos.Credit: Getty Images
The review panel, which interviewed more than 100 people, found a need for more effective leadership in women’s hockey, better balance between the demands of the high-performance program and outside life, “safe and respectful” engagement between board, coaches and players, closer monitoring of the culture in both men’s and women’s hockey and the fostering of a atmosphere of “mutual respect and trust”.
This follows a series of allegations last year of dysfunction, bullying and chaos within women’s hockey, and the resignations of three co-captains.
It has been a turbulent five years for the Hockeyroos, once the apple of Australian sport’s eye. Previous coach Adam Commens was sacked after a disappointing sixth-placed finish at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and after HA alleged behaviour that amounted to misconduct.
Gaudoin took over and guided the team back to second place in the world rankings, but rifts soon became apparent. Late last year, it all began to fall apart.
“In light of the release of the findings and recommendations from the independent review that has been undertaken, Paul informed Hockey Australia that he has decided to stand down from the role,” HA chief executive Matt Favier said.
“The past 12 months have been a difficult and taxing time for everyone involved in the high-performance program and especially the coaching staff.
“They have had to navigate the uncertainty of COVID while being an assuring and supportive presence for players, which Paul has done.
“He has conducted himself with integrity, devotion and commitment to the cause and done his utmost to improve the athletes, both as hockey players and as people.”
Gaudoin said he left with a heavy heart. “I have spent more than half my life involved with the high performance program as a player for the Kookaburras and as a coach for both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras,” he said.
“Whilst I am disappointed to not see out the Olympic program to Tokyo, I am proud to have helped get the Hockeyroos to be ranked second in the world.
“I wish both teams every success in Tokyo. I love our game and hope it stays relevant in a competitive sporting environment.”
Altogether, the report made 29 recommendations. With Tokyo around the corner, HA said it would fast track necessary changes.
“We believe everyone interviewed as part of the review wants the Hockeyroos to succeed, and we want to work with them to create a positive culture and go on to even higher levels of excellence in the sport that they love,” the statement said.
“Change is needed and is already underway. Importantly, this is a collaborative effort and requires buy-in from everyone.
“This has been a challenging period but undertaking the review has been crucial in addressing the allegations that have been directed at the Hockeyroos program since the Rio Olympics.
“We are appreciative of those who came forward to be interviewed and have full trust and confidence in the findings and recommendations put forward by the review panel.”