WA Football

Kimberley Football stalwart Alan Bishop was awarded Life Membership of the West Australian Country Football League at its AGM conducted on Saturday, 11 February 2012.

Bishop has been an outstanding servant of country football and is the first person from the north west of the State to be awarded this honour after playing a significant role at a local, regional and state level over 20 years.

He was a founding member of the Kimberley Football Association which he helped to enhance the development of all aspects of football in the Kimberley region.

Another seven country West Australians were selected in the AFL Rookie Draft, led by former Goldfields footballer and reigning Subiaco FC fairest and best Kyal Horsley.

Five of the boys join AFL clubs for the very first time with Simon Tunbridge (West Coast) and Brad Dick (West Coast) given another opportunity.

Horsley, pictured, is a mature player who was taken at number two by Gold Coast and should have an immediate impact at AFL level, following several great seasons of WAFL footy.

Youngsters Haiden Schloithe (Fremantle), Callum Papertalk (West Coast) and Marley Williams (Collingwood) will get their first opportunity in the AFL system.

Four WA country boys were selected at the 2011 NAB AFL draft. This continues the recent outstanding results for the country players in the draft.

Three of the boys will get their first taste of AFL action, whilst Beau Wilkes will return to the AFL following an outstanding year in the WAFL.

This will add to the 73 boys from country WA that were on AFL lists in 2011.

The West Australian Country Football League recently released a discussion paper on a player remuneration and a proposed points system in a bid to assist Clubs.

After extensive research, new Football Operations Manager, Joe Georgiades said “the key points behind the document are to encourage discussion amongst leagues and clubs to ensure clubs continue to foster development pathways and do no place themselves at financial risk”.

See below for 2011 results.