WAFC statement on Perth Stadium Operator decisionMonday, February 8, 2016 - 2:31 PM

Premier Colin Barnett today announced that Stadium Australia Operations, the operator of ANZ Stadium in Sydney, had been chosen as the preferred operator for the new Perth Stadium.

WAFC Chairman Murray McHenry provided the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed about this decision and believe that football and its major international partners have the experience, skills and imagination to operate Perth Stadium on behalf of all West Australians.”

“We are now deeply concerned about the future financial model for WA football because stadium operations have been critical to the development and success of the game.”

“At all times during the development of Perth Stadium the State Government has reassured football that the sport will be no worse off as a result of the new venue. We now need the Government to show how this will be the case in order to safeguard the future of our game.”

“We need the State Government to progress discussions on how to preserve football’s financial future as the sport now has no certainty for its future.”

“We will immediately start re-assessing how to sustain the ongoing growth and development of football and its various operations like Auskick, Community Football, WAFL, Female Football, indigenous and multicultural programs.”

“This decision also presents us with a range of concerns about the potential user agreements for our two AFL clubs at Perth Stadium and whether they will generate sufficient returns to sustain football in Western Australia.”

Click here to view a separate media statement from Perth Stadium Management (PSM) regarding the impact of this decision on that organisation.