The head coach of the Australian women's indoor hockey team is facing a string of sexual assault charges, including when her alleged victim was a child.
Lauren Austin, who represented Australia as both a player and a coach, has been charged with five offences including one count of sexual penetration without consent.
"The alleged offences occurred on several different dates, at locations in the Perth metropolitan area, including when the female victim was both an adult and a juvenile," a WA police spokesman said.
"At the time of the alleged offences the woman held a coaching position with a national sporting team."
Ms Austin, who is in her 30's, was appointed coach of the indoor hockey side in January, four years after retiring as a player.
She coached Australia during its tour of the United States in March, forming part of the program's preparation for the Indoor World Cup which will be held in Croatia in February.
Lauren Austin (left) has represented Australia has both a hockey player and coach. (Supplied: Hockey Australia )
Hockey Australia said in a statement it was "aware that a matter has been reported to the authorities and is currently subject to investigation and/or legal proceedings".
"We have fully cooperated with the relevant authorities and have taken appropriate steps to mitigate any risk to our participants," the statement said.
"To protect the integrity of the process and the interests of all parties, no further information will be provided at this time."
Austin played for Australia at the 2007 and 2018 World Cups before retiring due to the demands of balancing her own cleaning business and maintaining an international hockey career.
"As a self-funded athlete, which is what every member of the Australian Indoor Hockey World Cup squad is, the choice to fund a World Cup against getting back to see and support loved ones has caused me to consider my future playing at international level and come to this decision," she said at the time.
Ms Austin is due to appear in court on Friday.
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