WA Institute of Sport apologises to former gymnasts for ‘distress or injury’ in historic training

The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) has issued an apology to former athletes who experienced distress or injury in their gymnastics program.

It comes in the wake of an unreserved apology from Gymnastics Australia following an Australian Human Rights Commission report (AHRC), which detailed a “toxic” culture for many participants in the sport across the country.

A number of former WAIS gymnasts made a joint submission to the review, stating they were subject to physical and emotional abuse.

The WAIS gymnastics program ran from 1988 to 2016.

Board chair Neil McLean said the AHRC report “disturbed and saddened” the Institute.

“On behalf of the WAIS board and management we offer our sincere apologies to any person who has experienced distress or injury associated with their participation in the WAIS gymnastics program,” he said.

Apology ‘weak’, former gymnast says

Ann-Maree Vallence is one of a number of former WAIS gymnasts who has come forward to speak out about their experience in the program.

She said the apology was an important first step, but said it was “incredibly weak”.

“I know what I went through, I know what the other members of our group went through.

“We were belittled, we were body-shamed, we were physically assaulted, we were forced to train on broken bones without medical care.”

Dr Vallence said since she and other former gymnasts had first connected with WAIS in October, their group had grown with more women sharing their experiences.

“We now have a group of more than 50 former gymnasts who finally have a place of support,” she said.

Fellow former WAIS gymnast Julia Murcia, who established the Gymnast Alliance Australia, said the apology was well overdue.

“We are, however, disappointed that WAIS continues to downplay what the AHRC and Gymnastics Australia describe as ‘abuse’ and simply call it ‘distress or injury’,” she said.

Gymnasts seeking psychological, physical support

Dr Vallence called for redress in the form of physical and psychological support for the affected gymnasts, and said many had suffered ongoing mental health issues and chronic injuries.

“[WAIS] need to acknowledge this abuse has had lifelong effects on the people who were part of the program,” she said.

“We need support for the women in this group.

“The last six months for us have been some of the most difficult of our lives — reading the statements of the women that have come through this program has been distressing.”

Independent review on the cards

WAIS has asked Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) to undertake an independent review of the issues raised specifically relating to athletes involved in the gymnastics program.

“We have been working with SIA and the former gymnasts to establish agreement on the scope and process of the review,” Mr McLean said.

But Dr Vallence and the Gymnast Alliance are worried the review’s terms of reference will not be adequate and lead to enough change within WAIS.

“We had to fight to get a say,” she said.

“We’re not happy at the moment.”

‘Welfare and wellbeing of athletes a priority’

Mr McLean said the welfare and wellbeing of athletes was a priority for the Institute, and while a gymnastics program was no longer running, the issues raised through the review process will inform policies for other programs.

“We review our policies as a matter of course regularly, and when something like this happens, you would be arrogant not to look back and say ‘is there something we need to address that we’ve missed?'” he said.

“We will continue to offer whatever support we can to those former gymnasts and their families who participated in the WAIS gymnastics program and who have come forward with their stories.

“Their experience is not something that should be part of any sporting experience.”