Keren Faulkner was today announced as the new director of the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI).
Ms Faulkner (pictured) has been appointed to the role after joining SASI two years ago as the Performance Services Manager, where she has led a team of experts in sports science, medicine and performance who help South Australians achieve sporting excellence.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate Keren on being appointed as the new SASI Director. Keren is an outstanding woman who will inspire many in the landscape of South Australian sport and beyond,” said Minister for Sport, Katrine Hildyard.
“With the Mile End SASI project build reaching the halfway point and as we approach the green and gold runway to 2032 there has never been a more exciting time for high-performance sport in South Australia – and for this inspiring more people to be active and involved in sport and experiencing all of the many physical, mental and emotional wellbeing benefits of being so.
“I am really grateful that we will be able to utilise Keren’s knowledge and skills to lead us through this period and I know she will play a pivotal role in empowering our athletes and elevating them to new heights.”
“This passion for SASI along with exceptional knowledge of the Australian high-performance system will be an asset to SASI as the organisation prepares to move to its new world-class facilities in Mile End.
“Keren will also bring a wealth of experience in the lead-up to the upcoming Paris, Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, having supported Australian athletes competing in the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games, and the Rio, London and Tokyo Paralympic Games.”
Her career path in sport began as a physiotherapist working with local netball teams and the Australian Institute of Sport before she went on to work as a Performance Services Manager for Paralympics Australia and AusCycling.
She steps up to the role following Wes Battams’ successful 26-year tenure in the Director position.
“I’m really proud to have won this role and I thank Kylie Taylor and the leadership team for having confidence in me – I look forward to bringing an amazing vision to fruition at SASI with our great people,” said Ms Faulkner.
“To have won this role is very exciting because I recognise the great foundations that Wes Battams has established with a terrific team of people who are innovative, collectively brilliant and heading in a really great direction.
“I feel privileged to lead a team that is working towards world-class outcomes, and I thank our university partners, national sporting organisations and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for their continued support.
“SASI has always been and will continue to be all about our people; demonstrating pride in our history, daily training environment and the amazing results our athletes achieve on the world stage,” she said.
Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing Chief Executive, Kylie Taylor said she was thrilled to announce the appointment of Ms Faulkner.
“Keren has a strong welfare approach to athlete and staff development, and I have no doubt the organisation will thrive under her leadership.”
“I would also like to congratulate Wes Battams on his retirement, and I thank him for the incredible legacy he leaves behind, setting up SASI for success for many generations to come,” she said.
