‘Making a point’: Sacked CEO Brett Patten’s outspoken confrontation at Tennis West AGM

It comes as Tennis West told those in attendance that Patten is yet to file a “multi-million dollar” lawsuit against the sport’s state governing body, as was reported in August.

Tennis West also said that President Rod Van had no prior knowledge of Patten’s submission for SportWest Sport Administrator of the Year, an award he won earlier this year.

CODE Sports understands that Patten, who was dismissed after a vote of no confidence in August, attended the AGM as an observer for the Singleton Golden Bay Tennis Club.

Several eyewitnesses said that Patten yelled out as Tennis Australia chief financial officer Katrina Blair read through details of his dismissal.

It’s believed Patten also had supporters present who asked questions of the board and Van’s conduct.

A statement from Tennis West in September said that Patten was investigated by Tennis Australia’s integrity unit relating to a “matter connected with this year’s State League Finals.”

According to Tennis West, the report stated that Patten’s role in the matter fell short of the “evidence threshold” required to prove a breach of policy but added that the circumstances surrounding the matter had the “potential to undermine the reputation and integrity of the position he holds.”

In a later statement, the Tennis West board said that a vote of no confidence was based on “ongoing behaviours” and “issues of compliance, governance and a lack of respect and disregard for corporate process.”

Patten, now chief executive of the Perth Heat, has consistently maintained his innocence but did confirm that he attended Tennis West’s AGM and defended himself during Blair’s address. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley was also present.

“I don’t think yelling is the right terminology. I was certainly making a point,” Patten told CODE Sports.

“Tennis West did all they could to keep people out of the AGM and try and control the AGM which is not in the spirit of a state sporting organisation, allowing members to come and listen and observe what was happening.

“They had security at the door. They allowed two people from each club to attend, which is highly unusual.”

Two delegates per club were invited to attend the AGM at the Bendat Basketball Centre in Floreat on Tuesday night and it’s understood that one security guard was present.

Tennis West also told members at the AGM that Van, president since 2021, did not know that Patten was nominating himself for the SportWest Sport Administrator of the Year award until after the submission was lodged. Patten was presented with the award in February, beating out Troy Kirkham (WAFC) and Robyn Kuhl (volleyball).

Patten refuted Tennis West’s version of events.

“I can’t win a SportsWest award unless you go through a panel and then you go through the judging panel,” he said. “You can’t submit an application without the endorsement of the board.”

Tennis West also told those present at the AGM that Patten had not filed a lawsuit against the state’s governing body, despite telling media earlier this year that an application had been lodged.

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Patten stated he has filed a claim with the Federal Court and a separate defamation claim after mediation with the Fair Work Commission failed to produce an outcome.

“There is a lawsuit that has been filed with the Fair Work Commission and now it’s been filed with the federal courts,” Patten said. “I don’t think they’ve been transparent around the mediation process or the cost that this is costing Tennis West.”

Tennis West declined to comment on all matters related to the AGM, including Patten’s attendance, the lawsuit and the SportWest Sport Administrator of the Year award.