The top coach of the Australian ladies’s indoor hockey staff is going through a string of sexual assault fees, together with when her alleged sufferer was a toddler.
Lauren Austin, who represented Australia as each a participant and a coach, has been charged with 5 offences together with one rely of sexual penetration with out consent.
“The alleged offences occurred on a number of completely different dates, at places within the Perth metropolitan space, together with when the feminine sufferer was each an grownup and a juvenile,” a WA police spokesman stated.
“On the time of the alleged offences the girl held a training place with a nationwide sporting staff.”
Ms Austin, who’s in her 30’s, was appointed coach of the indoor hockey facet in January, 4 years after retiring as a participant.
She coached Australia throughout its tour of the USA in March, forming a part of this system’s preparation for the Indoor World Cup which will likely be held in Croatia in February.
Lauren Austin (left) has represented Australia has each a hockey participant and coach. (Equipped: Hockey Australia )
Hockey Australia stated in an announcement it was “conscious {that a} matter has been reported to the authorities and is at the moment topic to investigation and/or authorized proceedings”.
“We’ve absolutely cooperated with the related authorities and have taken acceptable steps to mitigate any danger to our individuals,” the assertion stated.
“To guard the integrity of the method and the pursuits of all events, no additional data will likely be offered presently.”
Austin performed for Australia on the 2007 and 2018 World Cups earlier than retiring because of the calls for of balancing her personal cleansing enterprise and sustaining a global hockey profession.
“As a self-funded athlete, which is what each member of the Australian Indoor Hockey World Cup squad is, the selection to fund a World Cup in opposition to getting again to see and assist family members has brought on me to think about my future enjoying at worldwide stage and are available to this determination,” she stated on the time.
Ms Austin is because of seem in court docket on Friday.
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