Football experience added to WAFC ExecutiveFriday, April 6, 2018 - 6:50 PM

The West Australian Football Commission has appointed former Fremantle Football Club – Football Operations Manager Scott Baker as its new Executive Manager of Talent and Football Operations.

Baker worked at Fremantle Football Club for 11 years before moving into a consultancy role with PMY Group a year ago, where he has been involved with projects analysing the growth of female football and its impact on resources at a community level, as well as recommendations for a new WAFL aligned state league women's competition.

His on-field football experience includes playing more than 100 games of amateur football in South Australia before moving to WA and serving as an Assistant Coach at Wesley College for three years.

Baker said he was looking forward to driving the success of the WAFL competition, umpiring, WA’s talent programs, and women’s football in a new era for WA Football.

“The WA Football Commission is at an exciting stage and the opportunity to be part of a positive, changing environment and work with a broad range of stakeholders really excites me,” he said.

“My focus will be on strengthening the WAFL competition, umpiring, women’s football and WA’s talent pathway to ensure we have the best State League competitions and umpiring and talent development systems in Australia.”

“The WAFL is such a proud, historic competition and I want to see it thrive. I also want to make sure the WAFL Colts competition is a great success and that the teams retain a really strong connection to their WAFL clubs and the local community.”

WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor welcomed Baker to the role after undertaking a national recruiting campaign for one of the WAFC’s most important football leadership positions.

“Scott has strong business acumen having worked in various accounting and finance roles for eight years and great leadership qualities combined with a detailed understanding of the football system in Western Australia,” Mr Taylor said.

“He will be a great addition to the WAFC Executive team that will help support the success of the WAFL competition and our talent development programs in partnership with the clubs and experienced members of staff we already have working in these areas.”

“He will also play a key role in delivering the WAFC’s strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability and overall success of the game in WA.”

Scott Baker will commence as WAFC Executive Manager of Talent and Football Operations on April 18, 2018.