The Hon. Wayne Martin AC KC to Conclude Term as Chair of the West Australian Football CommissionThursday, August 22, 2024 - 11:25 AM

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) today announced that The Hon. Wayne Martin AC KC will not be seeking re-election to the Board. 
After a distinguished tenure that began in January 2019, and following his endorsement as Chair in early 2020, Martin’s term will conclude on 31 December of this year. 

The WAFC has resolved that Ian Callahan will take over the role of Chair with effect from 1 January 2025.

During his time as Chair, Martin played a pivotal role in guiding the WAFC through one of its most challenging periods. 

His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in ensuring that WA Football continued, albeit in a shortened format, despite the considerable obstacles posed by the pandemic. 

Working closely with WAFL clubs, the State Government, and local stakeholders, the WAFC's efforts enabled the sport to continue during uncertain times.

Under Martin’s leadership, the Board oversaw a significant staffing restructure, which helped to stabilise the organisation and position it for recovery and future growth. 

This transformative period included the recruitment of Michael Roberts as the new CEO at the beginning of 2021, following a parliamentary inquiry that emphasised the need for improved governance and financial oversight.

Martin has been a tireless advocate for the growth and development of football across Western Australia. In 2022 the WAFC launched the Kimberley Investment Framework after securing $5 million in funding over five years from the State Government and the AFL to support a wide range of measures from facility upgrades to community participation initiatives. 

The WAFC’s commitment to promoting female participation in the sport during Martin’s term has significantly expanded opportunities for women both on and off the field. Today, the WAFC Board comprises equal representation of men and women, demonstrating a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within the organisation and across the sport. 

In 2019, the Board led the introduction of the WAFLW competition which featured five teams, fast forward to 2025, and all nine WAFL clubs will participate in the WAFL Women’s competition. Over the six years, of Martin’s term, female participation has grown to nearly 16,000 – a remarkable increase of 55 percent. 

Martin has encouraged the WAFC to focus on the future of the sport by prioritising the health, safety and wellbeing of all participants to ensure that WA football remains at the forefront of education, research and best practice in Concussion Management.

The WAFC was one of the first sporting codes to adopt the 21-day return to play protocols across all grades of football and last year piloted 180+ instrumental mouthguards across various levels of football to examine the number of collisions and the intensity of each collision across junior, WAFL and WAFLW competitions. As the WAFC continues to expand this program, the growing data collection will enhance our understanding of the game's safety and help ensure a safer experience for all participants.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve on the WAFC during a time of significant challenge and change,” Mr Martin said. 

“I am confident that all levels of the game are well placed for future growth and development, and it is a good time for me to hand over the reins to someone with fresh eyes and vision to lead the WAFC through its next phase.” 

WAFC Michael Roberts thanked Martin for his commitment to football.

“Wayne has been an outstanding Chair of the WA Football Commission over the past five years,” Mr Roberts said. 

“His leadership across all of football in WA has led to greater collaboration amongst all stakeholders. 

“His ability to balance the pressures from internal and external stakeholders and support the Executive has enabled the staff to be able to focus on delivering our strategy and maintaining our focus of making Australian Rules Football in WA truly the game for all Western Australians.” 

Ian Callahan
Ian has had a successful executive and non-executive director career in commercial, public and non- for-profit enterprises and recently retired as the Chief Operating Officer of Curtin University. 

Ian has served as a WA Football Commissioner for four years, is a Life Member of a Perth Football League Club after many years working in the administration of that Club, served as a director of a WAFL Club for six years and was the Curtin University executive responsible for establishing the ongoing partnership of Curtin University with the Fremantle Football Club. 

Ian brings to the Commission both his commercial and governance experience accompanied by his hands on experience of the football industry.