Olympians demand Brent Livermore sacking be reversed

Eighteen elite Australian hockey players have demanded former Kookaburras captain Brent Livermore be reinstated after being sacked from Hockey NSW.

Hockey gold medallist Brent Livermore. Picture: Greg Campbell

Eighteen elite Australian hockey players, including eight Olympians, have demanded former Kookaburras captain and gold medallist Brent Livermore be re­instated after being sacked from Hockey NSW, claiming his departure has had a “significant negative impact” on the national sport.

The players wrote to Hockey NSW president Adriana Care in August last year calling for Livermore – who they deemed “hockey royalty” – to get his old job back after he was dismissed in what he claims was a “sham redundancy” after two misconduct complaints were made against him, including one relating to the misuse of a company washing machine.

The Australian at the weekend revealed Livermore, who won bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before captaining the Kookaburras to the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games, is suing Hockey NSW in the Federal Court for more than $300,000 claiming he was unfairly removed from his role as director of hockey last year after the complaints.

In the letter, the players say the sport has lost “the considerable expertise” of Livermore, specifically pointing to the impact his absence will have on the NSW Pride team in the Hockey One League, for which he was head coach.

“By reason of this action by Hockey NSW, not only will the NSW Pride players and the competition lose the considerable expertise of Brent Livermore ... but also that of his assistants David Willott and Robert Green,” the letter reads.

It recites Livermore’s various achievements, including appearing in two World Cups, 10 champion trophy tournaments and three Commonwealth Games, at which he won a gold medal each time.

The players also claim sponsorship for Hockey Australia ahead of the next Olympics will be adversely impacted by the “damage” caused by Livermore’s departure.

“The Hockey One League, and the states and Territory that participate in it, depend upon companies prepared to sponsor the league and the teams as well as spectators … prepared to attend games,” the letter says.

“It is also in effect a joint-venture with Hockey Australia. Any damage to one particular brand affects not only that brand but the Hockey One League and ultimately Hockey Australia as well.”

The possible blow to sponsorship comes at a time when “funding issues for the next Olympic cycle are of critical importance”, the players said.

Ms Care responded saying “Hockey NSW or me as president (are) not able to engage in any ongoing correspondence”.

“To engage in the exchange of such correspondence about the matters you have asserted in your email would be contrary with the principles of confidentiality and the interests of the persons named in your email,” she said.

“Hockey NSW has appointed the highly credentialed Roel van Maastrigt and Kieran Govers as its coaches for the 2024 Hockey One Mens NSW Pride campaign and we look forward to your ongoing commitment to NSW Pride.”

Livermore is suing Hockey NSW in the Federal Court for fin­ancial compensation and damages for “hurt, humiliation and distress” caused to him throughout the dismissal process.

He claims Hockey NSW acted unlawfully in terminating his contract because it failed to tell him about an investigation into the complaints made against him, and denied him a “fair and reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations, and/or appeal the outcomes”.

He also alleges Hockey NSW acted unlawfully when instigating a “sham redundancy process” in response to his request for information about the allegations.

Livermore is demanding the organisation pay him about $118,000 in unpaid wages, leave entitlements and superannuation, along with $150,000 in loss of income and $100,000 in general damages.

Hockey NSW and Ms Care were contacted for comment. Hockey NSW is yet to file a defence in the Federal Court matter.