WAFC Receives $1 Million State Government Funding to Overhaul ChangeroomsTuesday, June 18, 2024 - 7:55 AM

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) and Perth Football League (PFL) are thrilled to have secured State Government funding towards a retrofitting project which will assist in the upgrade of 52 player and umpire changerooms across metropolitan Perth.

Thanks to a $1 million grant from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF), and further funding from the WA Football Facilities Fund and West Coast Eagles Royalty Reserve, the project will create safer and more inclusive environments at community sporting venues where football is played. 

The project, in collaboration with 22 local governments, aims to enhance facilities for individuals of any gender, age and ability, spanning local grassroots to elite football levels, while promoting the Football Commission’s vision ‘to be the game for all Western Australians’.

Of the 52 changerooms identified, 24 venues are set to undergo retrofitting for player and umpire facilities, while an additional 17 venues will receive upgrades for the player changerooms. Furthermore, 11 venues will receive improvements to umpire changerooms, ensuring long-term benefits for football and the broader community.

WAFC CEO Michael Roberts thanked the government for this crucial funding.

“Football continues to be the choice of sport for most Australians,” Roberts said.

“We have experienced a rapid growth of 14.9% in female Auskick participants from last year, and the PFL is the largest women’s competition in Australia. 

“It’s necessary to cater to the increasing number of female participants and provide safe and welcoming spaces to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy our great game.”

“The project will not only benefit the senior football clubs, but also others who utilise these venues, including 33 junior football clubs, other sporting codes and the wider community.”

“The WAFC will continue to work with local and state governments and ensure long-term planning for all venues is still considered for the future benefits of sport.”

PFL CEO Andrew Dawe added: “This funding will be crucial for our clubs to be able to meet their goals in providing inclusive environments for all participants. 

“We know a wave of junior female participants are coming and this funding ensures that we are providing better environments for them to participate in.”

West Coast General Manager - Community and Game Development, Richard O’Connell said: “Football is a sport for all, no matter of ability, age or gender so we are incredibly humble to work shoulder to shoulder with Perth Football league, WA Football Commission and the State Government of WA to make football available for all.

“Football Clubs are a unique social network that foster a sense of belonging and support for participants, we each have a responsibility to keep the pathways to these clubs healthy and sustainable.

“We are proud to be playing our part in ensuring football clubs are appealing to players, volunteers, spectators and we celebrate this initiative with our passionate members and partners who support us to invest into grassroots football.”

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said the funding would help improve accessibility to sporting facilities, especially for women and young girls.

“The Cook Government is strongly committed to improving accessibility to sporting facilities so that everyone has a chance to take part in the wonderful, life-affirming attributes of sport,” Mr Templeman said.

“I am delighted that 52 player and umpire changerooms will benefit from this funding – that represents a significant boost to our efforts.”

The WAFC and Country Football WA have recently completed retrofitting initiatives for the Great Northern Football League in the Mid-West, with ongoing projects in the South West and Goldfields Football Leagues. In addition, the Peel Football Netball League has been slated for retrofitting works scheduled to begin in 2024/25.