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Rod Van’s time on the Tennis West Board has officially ended, closing a contentious chapter in Western Australian tennis. Van served as Tennis West President during the controversial termination of former chief executive Brett Patten in August 2023. The decision followed a Tennis Australia Integrity Unit investigation, although Tennis West subsequently acknowledged that Patten’s role in the investigated matter fell short of the evidence threshold required to establish a policy breach. The dispute triggered legal action, boardroom division and sustained concern about Tennis West’s governance. Van was removed as President in December 2023 and remained a director until November 2024, according to the organisation’s 2024–25 annual report. An independent governance review later recommended reform across four areas: refreshing the Board, rebuilding respectful relationships, developing sustainable independence and meeting recognised sports-governance standards. Tennis West accepted all 13 recommendations. Van’s departure should now mark more than a change of personnel. It should create an opportunity for transparency, reconciliation and renewed confidence among WA’s clubs, volunteers, players and government stakeholders. The lasting question is not who won the boardroom battle. It is whether Tennis West has learned enough to prevent another one. Have WA tennis clubs regained confidence in Tennis West? Join the Court Talk conversation. |
