Sport International WA to coordinate sport and contact involvement with foreign countries

28/3/97

Sport International WA.

That's the fresh, new brand the State Government has put on the old Asian Sporting Relations Council.

It's one of two significant steps announced by Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore today as part of the Government's strategy to take a fresh look at its links with sports in Asia, the Indian Ocean countries and South Africa.

The second step was naming the members who would serve on the board of Sport International WA.

Mr Moore said that John Longley would be the board chairman. Mr Longley was best-known to Western Australians for his leadership in seeing the Endeavour replica become a reality as well as his America's Cup exploits.

The other members included Tom Hoad, well-known for his contribution to Australian water polo at a local, national and international level; Wally Foreman, the head of the Western Australian Institute of Sport; Hallam Pereira, principal ministerial policy officer for sport and recreation; Peter Gianoli, sports management professional; Allan Marshall, manager of TAFE International; Linda Wayman, EventsCorp general manager; Jill Powell, sport and recreation expert and former England international sportswoman; Danielle Blain, Perth businesswoman; and Paolo Amaranti, from the Department of Commerce and Trade.

Challenge Stadium general manager Graham Moss would be an ex-officio member of the board.

All appointments were for three years.

Mr Moore said the agency board brought together a blend of experience and expertise in sport, business and tourism and had energy and entrepreneurial flair.

There were two major aims:

·      nurture sporting relations with Asian and Indian Ocean Rim countries and work with others to optimise related business, tourism and other benefits; and-

·      develop strategies to maximise opportunities in the years leading up to the Olympic Games in the year 2000 and then beyond.

Mr Moore said that the agency would be funded by the State Government and would operate under the auspices of the Western Australian Sports Centre Trust.

Sport International WA would co-ordinate and oversee all sporting contact and involvement the State had with foreign countries.

"Sport International WA is an important part of our commitment to developing sporting, and business opportunities and partnerships in Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim countries," Mr Moore said.

"Sport is a common love in all these countries.

"And through sport can come other benefits, like sport development, business and tourism."

Mr Moore said Western Australia's geographic position, trade and tourism links and established relations in areas like education, sport and recreation, gave it a head start over others seeking the same objectives.

"But we have to be mindful that several other States, including South Australia, and the Commonwealth Government, were working more aggressively in sport development areas in Asia."

Media contact: Hartley Joynt 321 1444