The Western Australian Institute of Sport today commemorates the life and significant impact of its inaugural director Wally Foreman, on the 10th anniversary of his sudden and tragic passing in 2006.
Passionate about sport from his childhood in the regional town of Bruce Rock, where he spent hours glued to the wireless, listening to ABC Radio’s coverage of everything from Test Matches to Wimbledon, Wally Foreman became both an iconic broadcaster and sports administrator in this state.
He began his media career as a cadet with The West Australian in 1972 and went on to establish a respected and outstanding career spanning 34 years and almost every media outlet in radio, print and television.
He covered a wide range of international and domestic events, from Olympic and Commonwealth Games, to Test cricket and football. He gave voice to Davis Cup ties and Australian Open Tennis Championships and illuminated World Cup athletics and world hockey tournaments, both with passion and knowledge, all whilst never straying far from his love of Sheffield Shield and local football.
Foreman always harboured a desire to be able to impact and effect change within sport, not simply report on it. He achieved that goal when he became the inaugural director of the Western Australian Institute of Sport in 1984, a position he held with passion and dedication for more than 17 years.
Under his direction, WAIS earned a reputation as a world class provider for elite athletes and as a national leader in its field. A legacy which lives on to this day.
He retired from WAIS in September 2001 and resumed a full-time media career with the ABC Radio Sporting Department, being named WA Citizen of the Year (Sport) in 2000 and made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2003 for his services to sport. He was also a recipient of the Australian Sports Medal.
Wally Foreman passed away from a sudden heart attack in November 2006. The outpouring of emotion and grief across Western Australia at the news of his passing showed how loved he was as a great West Australian, with his memorial service attended by more than 3000 people at Challenge Stadium (now HBF Stadium) and broadcast live around the state on ABC Radio.
Current WAIS Executive Director Steve Lawrence, said Wally Foreman’s influence was still being felt by Western Australian athletes.
“Wally’s passion and advocacy for ensuring Western Australian athletes received a fair go in the national system, resulted in WAIS growing into a strong and purposeful organisation,” he said.
“His legacy continues to be celebrated through the sporting performances of many WA athletes as members of Australian teams.”
“Wally’s passion for sport was only matched by his love of family and I am sure he would be incredibly proud of all that Lyn, Glen and Mark have achieved since he departed,” Lawrence said.
Wally’s legacy to Western Australian sport is now continued through the dedicated work of the Wally Foreman Foundation, which was set up in his honour and continues his work in championing the cause of Western Australia’s elite sportspeople and coaches.
For more information on the Wally Foreman Foundation or to make a donation, please follow this link.
Vale Wally Foreman (1946-2006)
