Charlesworth leads new hockey foundation

Western Australian hockey has launched a foundation to fund development in the state, bringing together some of the sport’s legends and corporate supporters today to announce the new initiative.

Hockey WA director Gary McGrath said sporting great Ric Charlesworth was the inaugural director of the Hockey IN WA Foundation.

Dr Charleworth is not just a great players and coach of hockey but was the federal member for Perth in the 1980s and played high-profile roles in sports such as football and cricket.

He has been vocal recently regarding the absence of modern sporting facilities, given the increasing emphasis on the need for participation among all ages, including children, as society becomes more sedantry.

“Ric was a key driver,” Mr McGrath said.

“He has seen this model internationally and in other sports work very well.”

While the sport is well advanced in areas of gender balance and age inclusion, the fund will help push into other areas of diversity as well as help secure the legacy WA’s success as the powerhouse of the hockey’s long-term international achievements, including multiple Olympic medals since the late 1980s and Australia’s consistent presence among the leading playing nations.

“It's about getting people to share this journey with us, to gain a sense of support, it’s about encouraging West Aussies to get involved in any way they can, whether that be strategically, financially, through profile or advice,” Mr McGrath said.