Western Australian Institute of Sport Chairman Mr Grant Boyce has called time on his successful 15-year tenure with WAIS, effective 30 June.
Mr Boyce joined the WAIS board in 1999 at the request of the Institute’s inaugural Director, Mr Wally Foreman, and took over from Mr Neil McKerracher as WAIS Chair in 2003.
During his service as WAIS Chairman, Mr Boyce played an influential role in securing State Government funding for WA’s high performance athletes, and played a pivotal role, from concept to completion, in the construction of the new WAIS High Performance Service Centre in Mt Claremont. A facility that represents the bright future for this state’s aspiring Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
WAIS board member, Mr Peter Abery will accept the position of WAIS Chairman, with Western Australia’s Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon. Mia Davies thanking Mr Boyce on his long-standing commitment to WA sport.
“Grant played a leading role in securing funding for the recently completed $33.7 million WAIS High Performance Service Centre, and has been a passionate ambassador for sport in this State,” she said.
“Grant’s influence will ensure WAIS remains a central component of Western Australia’s continued high performance sporting success. I would like to sincerely thank him for his dedicated service during his long-standing role as WAIS chairman.”
Ms Davies said that Mr Abery would bring a wealth of knowledge to the role of WAIS Chair.
“Peter has been on the WAIS board since 2012 and brings extensive experience in the business sector, across a range of industries,” Ms Davies said.
“I trust that Peter will continue to drive WAIS forward and promote opportunities for local athletes to achieve excellence in sport.”
WAIS Executive Director, Mr Steve Lawrence echoed Minister Davies’ sentiments, commenting that Western Australia’s athletes had always been the focus under Mr Boyce’s watch.
“Grant has been a fantastic chairman for WAIS,” Mr Lawrence said. “His passion for supporting athletes, to achieve success has been a great lead for our Athlete Focussed, Performance Driven philosophy.”
Mr Lawrence also welcomed Mr Abery to the role of WAIS Chair and said he would be well positioned to take the Institute forward.
“Peter has been a great contributor to the board over the past three years and his skills and experience in board leadership and organisational governance will ensure we can continue to evolve and grow to meet the challenges ahead,” he said.
Grant Boyce was an Australian representative hockey player, and competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, with Australia finishing fourth.
Under Mr Boyce’s stewardship, WAIS celebrated its first ever individual World Record holder, in Eamon Sullivan (swimming), WA’s first ever female rowing World Champions in Amber Bradley and Joanna Lutz, Australia’s first ever female gymnastics World Champion in Lauren Mitchell and Australia’s first ever slalom canoe world champion in Robin Bell.
In addition to Mr Abery stepping up to WAIS Chair, the WAIS board will also welcome three new members, with dual Olympic swimming gold medallist Mr Todd Pearson joined by Rugby WA CFO Ms Maryanne Wilson and KPMG audit partner and former national level hockey representative, Mr Matthew Beevers.
Changes to the Western Australian Institute of Sport board will take effect from June 30.
An official statement from the WA State Government relating to the changes to the WAIS Board can be viewed here.
The Western Suburbs Weekly featured Mr Boyce in their edition this week, you can read the online version here.
