WA Football Launches Champion Club ProgramFriday, February 21, 2025 - 11:55 AM

WA Football has launched the Champion Club Program, an initiative aimed at improving community football across the state.

The program has three priorities including strengthening club governance, improving volunteer management, and enhancing operational effectiveness at community level.

Developed over a three-year period by WA Football’s Club Development and Volunteers team, the Champion Club Program provides a structured framework to support clubs and leagues in achieving best practice governance standards.

WA Football’s Head of Club Development and Volunteers, Corey Ranger, emphasised the importance of the initiative in building long-term sustainability for clubs.

“Community football relies on strong governance and effective volunteer management,” Ranger said. “The Champion Club Program provides a structured approach to ensure clubs are well-equipped to meet these demands.”

Program lead and WA Football Club Development and Volunteers Specialist, Zac Binning, reinforced the importance of the initiative.

“This program represents a significant investment in the future of community football,” Binning said.

“Clubs that embrace strong governance will be better positioned to thrive, and WA Football is committed to providing the resources and guidance necessary to achieve this”.

The Champion Club Program and online portal is designed to assist clubs in meeting and exceeding governance and club development benchmarks.

The program consists of two levels:

• Foundation Level – Establishes the essential governance requirements for club administration
• Premiership Level – Recognises clubs that demonstrate outstanding governance and operational excellence

Participating clubs will benefit from:

• Official status and recognition through WA Football platforms
• Access to digital assets and promotional materials
• Support in meeting compliance requirements
• Opportunities to strengthen relationships with sponsors and funding bodies

WA Football will oversee the program’s implementation, with clubs invited to register via the Champion Club Program online portal.

The structured process includes:

1. Club registration and creation of an online account
2. Completion of the Foundation Level module, including governance assessments and document submission
3. Progression to the Premiership Level upon achieving Foundation status
4. WA Football’s review process

Clubs and leagues will have easy access to a personalised online portal, allowing them to securely store and manage key club documents in one central location. This platform serves as a dedicated storage hub, streamlining administrative processes, supporting smoother leadership transitions, and enhancing long-term club sustainability. Clubs will be able to gain Foundation and Premiership status until December 2026, allowing clubs time to complete the requirements.

WA Football would like to acknowledge Country Football WA and the Perth Football League for their valuable input and support in the development of this program. The Champion Club Program will be accessible to all leagues and clubs across Western Australia, ensuring a consistent standard of governance across community football.

For further details and registration information, visit www.wafootball.com.au/wa-football-champion.club