20 FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Contents CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 4 2020 AT A GLANCE 6 WORKING TOGETHER 10 PARTNERSHIPS 13 AWARD WINNERS 18 COMPETITIONS 19 REFEREES 20 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 22 DISCLAIMER: All efforts have been made to ensure the information contained in this document is accurate at the time of printing. footballwest.com.au FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 3 Chairman’s Report SHERIF ANDRAWES CHAIRMAN FOOTBALL WEST the community including government, partners, clubs, When we reflect on the 12 associations and other stakeholders. The support and months since my first annual resilience from our football community was outstanding report as Football West to ensure that games were played in 2020 across Western Chairman, one issue has Australia. dominated the landscape, COVID-19. On the back of tough decisions, changes and reforms, we worked hard to provide support to our community in The impact of the pandemic was unavoidable and football ensuring that the game is a great experience and accessible copped its share along with the whole community. To date, to all. Western Australia might have fared better than most places, but we were not untouched. Even now, the recent lockdown The initiatives included Club Assistance Packages totalling has shown how quickly things can change and the impact it over half-a-million dollars to ensure our game and our 250- has on the whole community. plus clubs across Western Australia remained viable. Later in the year Football West implemented other initiatives, When football was suspended across Australia in March such as the Building Stronger Clubs Program, Empowering 2020, there were fears we might not have a season and People Scholarship Fund and the Community Grants there would be a long-term impact on all levels of the Directory. game. Registrations were barely out of the gate and we were all put under a new level of pressure. We also began a State wide facilities audit of clubs and associations, enabling us to better plan and advocate for Football West, like many, was significantly impacted, which facility investment across Western Australia. led to significant business changes and reforms. But the team did a great job to plot a course through the difficult Considering where we were this time last year and what and unchartered waters as they worked with all levels of could have happened, it is pleasing we have so much to celebrate. 4 FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 The fact we completed a season should not be downplayed. football talent in Western Australia was hopefully also a There was compromise, especially in regard to some of glimpse into the future, with a World Cup in WA inspiring our senior competitions. But players, coaches, officials and the next generation of stars. supporters all worked so well together for the benefit of the game and there is plenty we can take forward from the I mentioned earlier how Football West had worked with a experience. number of parties including our partners, and their support was invaluable through the uncertain months. Many of our An undoubted success story was the maiden NPLWA planned activations and tours were unable to proceed, so Women’s competition. The introduction of the new top it was great to see widespread initiative to make things league will continue to lift the standard of the female game. happen. The Gold Fields WA State Dream Teams, the Its popularity was supported with the high number of live Hyundai Design-a-Car competition and the NAIDOC Ball stream figures of Women’s NPL matches. Design competition with the Insurance Commission were just some examples of what we achieved. The expanded Finals Series/Top Four Cup was also a winner. We had a terrific three nights at Dorrien Gardens in October, Gold Fields, Hyundai and the Insurance Commission are as fans flocked to the home of Perth SC for the Men’s State three of our valued partners. The Department of Local League and Men’s and Women’s NPL cup finals. Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has been a great supporter of Football West for a number of years and Football West launched two new platforms in 2020. Kick were behind the Regional Football Festival in the Great It. Football offers a series of small-sided opportunities, Southern, along with the City of Albany. Healthway has also while Switch on Sport is where Football West’s e-series been a long-term partner. We are extremely proud of these competitions are run. relationships and the same applies to Besteam Sport, All Flags Signs and Banners, Imagine Cruising and Crystalise. Away from our competitions, there were two major football announcements in June which affected WA. Football West is also linked with leading community mental health organisation Richmond Wellbeing through The first was Premier Mark McGowan confirming that its Bouncing Back program, which will help clubs identify the WA State Government was matching the Federal and provide support to any members who may be doing it Government and committing the $16.25m balance towards tough. the building of the State Football Centre at Queens Park in Cannington. The news that football in WA will have its own I would like to acknowledge the work of our Zone home has been long-awaited and, as I said at the time, a Representatives and Standing Committee members, plus game changer. associations, tribunal members, clubs, presidents, coaches, players, match officials, volunteers and parents. It means we will at last have a ‘Home of Football’: where we can provide a location for high-performance I also want to pay tribute to the efforts of CEO James training, community programs and house Football West’s Curtis and his Football West team, and the Board – Deputy administration facilities. Chairman William Golsby and Directors Jason Petkovic, Amy Johnson, Elizabeth Tylich, Andrea Hoskins and Richard The State Government-led project is set to be completed Marshall. in time for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which leads us into the second announcement. That came at the Looking forward, there are still many challenges in front of FIFA headquarters in Zurich, when FIFA President Gianni us. But because of the strength and resilience of the WA Infantino declared on Zoom that Australia and New Zealand football community, I am confident 2021 will see our sport would host the event. continue to take great strides forward. Australia superstar Sam Kerr fronted the media at Perth’s Yours sincerely, HBF Park, backed by five local players with Junior Matildas SHERIF ANDRAWES and Young Matildas experience. This collection of female CHAIRMAN FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 5 2020 At a Glance 2020 Social 25m 21% 75% reached across increase in social increase in video digital platforms media followers views (over 1.75m) (over 42.5k) LIVE STREAM OVER 5 MILLION VIEWS 1 Participants 45% Increase in female participation across competitions and programs 2 Participants ver 96,000 registered and affiliated members 3 Participants 62% Increase in players from priority diversity groups E-Gaming E-GAMING 750 REGISTRATIONS 6 FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Volunteers More than $58 Million of equivalent volunteer time across WA football in 2020 Facilities Regional Services More than Regional Development $48.5Million Officer in each region of WA in facility investment to support first time in history football participation in WA Teams More than 3,500 formal teams Referees 1,800 hours of equivalent referee development courses and programs Coaches 1 Over 2 4,900 550+ volunteer coaches across coaches undertook Western Australia coaching development 3 Over coaching courses delivered hours of coach 50 and equivalent of more than 6,400 development 1 Programs Over $100,000 of Building Stronger Clubs sponsored projects 2 60 scholarships awarded through the Empowering People Program FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 7 8 FOOTBALL WEST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 FOOTBALL WEST STRATEGIC PLAN 2018 - 2022 We will act with mutual respect in OUR VISION every interaction we undertake. We make the We will apply fair play and honesty in game accessible every decision we make. and a great experience for all. We will pursue excellence OUR MISSION in everything we do. We support your football journey. OUR VALUES We act with mutual respect, fair play and excellence. TO DELIVER OUR MISSION AND VISION, OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS FOR 2018 - 2022 WILL BE: Developing the game by Outstanding delivery through EMPOWERING CLUBS A VALUES-LED CULTURE • A ‘Good Practice Guide’ is developed for Clubs. • Everyone understands and supports a new way of • All levels of the game are serviced well. thinking. • Clubs have access to excellent resources, and are • We have a strong and supportive Board. equipped to deliver sustainable growth of the game. • Our internal and external communication is • Diversity is encouraged and celebrated with the professional, targeted and reflects the values of Football West community. Football West. CAPACITY TO DELIVER IMPROVED FACILITIES • Our approach to People Management ensures we • A home for WA Football is secured. have the right team, with the necessary skills and • A strategic approach to facilities planning. knowledge, to deliver on our mission, vision and values. • We have the right infrastructure to support delivery of A BLUE-PRINT FOR GROWTH our priorities. • Football West has a strong governance framework • Programs and products are prioritised. across all tiers of the organisation. • A regional service model is in place. • A five year growth forecast is completed to inform STRONG PARTNERSHIPS resource requirements and geographical spread. • A long term vision for football in developed. • Our approach to stakeholder management reflects our broad mix of stakeholders. • We have productive partnerships with our stakeholders. • True collaboration exists with key external partners. Not long after the Premier’s announcement he was on hand to join Matildas and Chelsea FC superstar Sam Kerr at HBF News Park to give reaction to FIFA’s decision to send the 2023 Women’s World Cup Down Under.