Kimberley Investment Framework - Half-Time ReportWednesday, August 20, 2025 - 5:19 PM

WA Football is pleased to reveal the encouraging progress and achievements of the Kimberley Investment Framework (KIF) as we reach the half-way point of the five-year collaborative initiative.

The $5 million partnership between WA Football, the State Government and the AFL kicked off in September, 2021, with the aim of strengthening football and supporting facility upgrades and community participation in the Kimberley region.

Now at the halfway point, the KIF Half-Time Report highlights major progress in participation, facilities and community engagement.

There’s been significant infrastructure and inclusion milestones reached so far including the retrofit of gender-neutral changerooms in Broome and the creation of custom-built equipment trailers to support volunteer capacity.

Starkick and All-Abilities Football programs have been introduced for the first time in the region, making football accessible to even more Kimberley locals.

The Kimberley, which has a population of more than 34,000, is the breeding ground of several current AFL players including premiership duo Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane) and Joel Hamling (Sydney), Jack Martin (Geelong), Liam Henry (St Kilda) and Bailey Banfield (Fremantle), as well as former AFLW player and current WAFLW star Krstel Petrevski.

The region boasts football programs that span from Bidyadanga Community to Wyndham Community, covering more than 1168km between them and connecting 659 Auskick participants and 3670 School Football program participants collectively in over 25 locations, including 20 remote Aboriginal communities.

Since the start of the initiative in 2021, over 4,000 children have participated in Auskick and school football across the Kimberley, including 86 per cent First Nations participation in Country Football WA's Thriving Communities sessions.

Youth competitions have also been reignited post-COVID and flooding in places like Fitzroy Crossing.

The Kimberley Investment Framework is not just about football – it’s about social impact – with programs that are helping to build mental health literacy, promote wellbeing, and foster safer, more connected communities in more than 25 remote and regional locations across the Kimberley.

Community-led structures like the Kimberley Football Action Committees (KFACs) ensure that programs and investments respond to local needs.

WA Football looks forward to the second half of the KIF (2025–27), which will focus on strengthening partnerships, building leadership and governance, and deepening community outcomes to ensure football continues to thrive in the Kimberley well beyond 2027.

Michael Roberts - Chief Executive Officer, WA Football:

"As we reach the half-way point of this Plan, we acknowledge the work that has been achieved so far by our staff along with countless volunteers and community members. We are excited for the outcomes these partnerships are beginning to achieve."

Rob Auld – AFL Executive General Manager Game Development:

"As we strive to grow our game and reach one million participants by 2033, initiatives such as the KIF are so important to ensure inclusive facilities exist in the region to strengthen community participation and connection,” Mr Auld said.

“I’d like to thank the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport for their work to date, and the AFL looks forward to the next phase of KIF achievements for football in the region."

You can view the full report here