2017 WAFC Annual Report

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) has reported an operating profit of $4.27 million and a cash result of $10.97 million for the 2017 financial year.

The operating profit and cash result includes $10.95 million of State Government funding for 2018 that was received October 30, 2017, plus a charge for accelerated Stadium depreciation.

Separate to State Government funding, the WAFC recorded a net positive cash result of $20,000.

Operating revenue in 2017 increased by 1% from 2016.

WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor said that cost reduction efforts in administration and facilities had provided opportunity to maintain the WAFC’s investment across football in WA.

“Ongoing reviews and controls of operating expenditure played a key part in containing costs in 2017, which contributed to the overall result and allowed us to increase our investment into football related activities by 4.6%,” he said.

“Subiaco Oval hosted a wide range of concerts, AFL games and functions in its final year of operation, with solid catering revenues assisting in a strong financial return and contributing over 40% of the WAFC’s total revenue in 2017.”

The WAFC would like to acknowledge the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Football Club, the AFL and the West Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for their ongoing investment into WA football and the community benefits it delivers.

Major WAFC outcomes achieved in 2017 included:

• Completing negotiations with the State Government on a ‘Football funding Football’ agreement for the next 50 years.
• Completing the Structural Review of Football and the associated consultation process for WA Football stakeholders.
• Finalising a new 5-year WAFC Strategic Plan that sets a clear vision, goals and objectives for WA Football.
• Finalising the new Talent Development Model to be launched in 2018, with $1M in new funding support from the AFL.
• Restructuring WAFC operations in line with the new Strategy and funding.
• Successful management of Subiaco Oval in its final year of operation including hosting Adele, the largest ever concert at the venue.
• Increasing year on year participation numbers by 9% to 330,001
• Female participation growing 28% from 72,386 to 92,761.
• The performance of WA’s State teams in showcasing WA talent.
• WA’s Kickstart and All Nations teams winning their divisions at the 2017 National Diversity Championships.

WAFC Annual Report