WAFC Board announces succession planMonday, September 2, 2019 - 9:05 AM

THE West Australian Football Commission’s Board of Commissioners has announced its succession plan for 2020 and beyond as preparations commence for the conclusion of Chairman Murray McHenry’s elected term at the end of the year.

Mr McHenry, who has been a WAFC Commissioner since 2010 and served as Chairman since 2015, is approaching the maximum tenure under the WAFC constitution, following a decade of voluntary contribution to WA Football.

Mr McHenry has played a key role in setting a clear strategy for WA football during this time, leading the WAFC through future funding negotiations and supporting the range of positive reforms being implemented across all segments of the game to ensure football in WA is well placed for the future.

Mr McHenry said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time as a Commissioner and thanked everyone who had offered their support.

“To the other Commissioners, WAFC staff and Executive, WAFL clubs, AFL clubs, affiliated WA competitions, the AFL and other football stakeholders, as well as the current members of State Government I’ve had the pleasure of working with, it has been a privilege and I sincerely thank you,” he said.

“The role has been rewarding, challenging and a great opportunity to contribute to the future of WA Football.”

HON. Wayne Martin AC QC, who was appointed to the WAFC Board for a three-year term in January 2019, has been endorsed by the WAFC Board as Mr McHenry’s successor for 2020.

Mr Martin has served the State and people of Western Australia in a variety of roles, most recently as Chief Justice of Western Australia, a position which he held from 2006 until his retirement from judicial office in 2018.

He is the current Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia and has served as a Chair and Board member of numerous professional, not-for-profit and government organisations during his lengthy legal career.

He has passionately followed football in Western Australia throughout his life and made an immediate impact in his first year as a WAFC Commissioner.

Mr Martin said he was looking forward to the opportunity of serving as WAFC Chairman.

“I look forward to leading the WAFC team as we broaden community engagement with our great game at all levels,” he said.

Pending reappointment at the WAFC elections this November, HON. Cheryl Edwardes AM has been endorsed by the WAFC Board to serve as Vice Chairman from 2020.

Mrs Edwardes was elected to the WAFC Board in 2016 and re-elected for a further three-year term from 2017-2019. Her WAFC election followed a highly successful legal and political career. She was the first female solicitor appointed to the West Australian Parliament in 1989 and the first female Attorney General in WA. Mrs Edwardes is a member of the Foreign Investment Review Board.

She is also a Chairman and Independent Director on a number of ASX Boards and private companies, and continues to assist and support many community organisations. Mrs Edwardes said she was looking forward to working with the football community to grow the game.

Mr Martin and Mrs Edwardes plan to continue leading key strategic projects for WA Football, including deepening the West Australian Football League’s connection with the community, enhancing youth football engagement strategies, overseeing facility planning to meet the growing needs of the game, addressing the unique challenges faced by regional football across the biggest State in Australia, and commencing work on a future home for the WAFC back at Subiaco Oval.

Mr Martin and Mrs Edwardes are strong advocates for female football and will look to enhance the opportunities for females to play key parts in our game both on and off the field. Leadership objectives also include supporting Western Australia’s deeply connected football ecosystem to ensure the partnership between community football, the WAFL and our AFL clubs is prosperous, sustainable and relevant to support the future success of WA Football.

The WAFC elections in November also present an opportunity for a new WAFC Commissioner to be elected into the vacancy created by the completion of Mr McHenry’s term.

For More information about the nomination process please click here.