An update from the WA Football CommissionSaturday, April 4, 2020 - 4:53 PM

We hope you and your family are well.
 
The past fortnight has obviously been an extremely challenging period for everyone involved with our great game right across Western Australia. On behalf of the WA Football Commission, we’d like to thank you for your support and understanding as we work to overcome these unprecedented challenges that face our community and our game.
 
The WAFC has taken a broad range of austerity measures over the past fortnight to support WA Football during the Coronavirus crisis, based on games not returning until at least May 31st and the significant changes that are impacting upon our football economy.

 Like many other organisations and businesses in our community, the WAFC risks losing half of its revenue this year, which means we have been forced to make hard decisions about our people, competitions and the programs that we help to fund and support.
 
Last week, this included the extremely difficult step of temporarily standing down more than half of the WAFC’s staff, in line with the postponement of football until at least May 31st. We are an industry that delivers football outcomes through our people, whom we deeply value. We are going to continue to review the temporary measures and rebuild our engagement with staff prudently and as soon as possible.
 
Since this decision was made, the Australian Government has announced a wage subsidy called ‘The JobKeeper Payment’ which thankfully, we believe our employees will be eligible to receive. We would encourage you to explore whether your employees may also be eligible by CLICKING HERE.
 
There is an application process, which the WAFC is now completing for its employees. If we do meet the eligibility criteria, we will assess how this payment can be distributed across our workforce under the parameters the ATO has defined as soon as possible. We are currently awaiting legislation to be passed so we can understand the details and application criteria, which is expected by next Wednesday.
 
Until this application process has been completed the WAFC staff listed below will remain active, albeit working reduced hours, as key points of contact for all football stakeholders.
 
This staffing structure will continue to be reviewed in the lead-up to May 31st so that the WAFC is ready to rebound when the green light is given for football to recommence. Once we get through the worst of this virus, footy will play a huge part in reconnecting communities right across our State.
 
The WAFC is also establishing a COVID-19 Industry Steering Committee with representatives being asked to work alongside the WAFC to provide advice, support and input into the challenges and key decisions we need to make as an industry going forward.
 
To assist football clubs throughout Western Australia during this period, the WAFC will also be providing Club Support Packages and contributing $1m from its Reserves to establish a WA Football COVID-19 Emergency Sustainability Fund, which includes providing access to short term loan facilities.
 
This week, the WAFC has provided all community clubs a resource to assist in reviewing the club’s financial position so that any financial risks in this challenging period can be clearly understood and addressed.
 
Every one of the 463 football clubs and 55 leagues across WA is important to the future success of our game and we are doing everything possible to support them all.
 
Funding certainty for the remainder of 2020 has also been provided for WAFL clubs and the WAFC’s affiliates including the WA Country Football League, Perth Football League, Metro Football League, AFL Masters WA and the WA Women’s Football League, to assist with their financial planning and sustainability measures.
 
Everyone at every level of the game is urged to stay engaged with their club, keep in touch with coaches and teammates, and check that everyone is OK so we can get through this tough time together, whilst continuing to play our part in supporting the Government’s directions to restrict the spread of Coronavirus.
 
In relation to the May 31st postponement of football there have been no further decisions regarding a return to football. If the current conditions imposed by Government remain, football will unfortunately not be able to resume. The AFL National working group will be reviewing this position in coming weeks to decide if further postponements will occur.
 
I appreciate that everyone is keen to get a season underway as soon as possible and gain a clearer understanding of the options that could support this outcome being delivered. At a WAFL level, Scott Baker will engaging with WAFL CEO’s to discuss and explore all options available.
 
This week we have made a funding submission to the AFL and have also written to the CEO of the West Australian Local Government Association to seek support for all WAFL and community clubs to get through this period, which could include revised lease arrangements, license and hire fee arrangements. We have also been in contact with DLGCSI relating to the State's recent announcement for special event and community club funding. The funding packages have not been finalised but will be open for WA football clubs. More information to follow.
 
Outlined below are the key contacts up to May 31st who are leading and responsible for key projects, supporting key operations and assisting with dealing with COVID-19 challenges and the industry response. All remaining staff’s hours have been reduced on average by 54% with staff working between 1 to 4 days a week. All staff are currently working from home but are contactable via mobile or email as outlined below. Should you have any queries relating to our programs, services or competitions in this interim period please contact the appropriate Executive Manager or staff member.
 
Please look after yourself and your family during these difficult times. As an industry we will get through this difficult period via the collective efforts of the great people that support our game.
 
Thanks for your ongoing support of WA Football. 

Sincerely,

Gavin Taylor (CEO) & Wayne Martin (Chairman)

 
Key WAFC Staff Contacts
 
Chief Executive
Gavin Taylor - Chief Executive Officer
gtaylor@wafc.com.au
 
Media
Steve Tuohey - Communications Specialist
stuohey@wafc.com.au
 
Talent & Commercial    
Simon Moore-Crouch - Executive Manager Talent & Commercial
smoorecrouch@wafc.com.au
 
Male Talent
Adam Jones - State Talent Manager
ajones@wafc.com.au
 
Female Talent
Clint Degebrodt - Talent Manager - Female Programs
cdegebrodt@wafc.com.au
 
Commercial
Daniel Grace - Head of Commercial
dgrace@wafc.com.au
 
Digital Communications
Kate Harrison - Marketing Manager
kharrison@wafc.com.au
 
WAFL & Football Operations    
Scott Baker - Executive Manager WAFL & Football Operations
sbaker@wafc.com.au
 
WAFL
Luke Sanders - WAFL & Football Operations Manager
lsanders@wafc.com.au
 
Umpiring
David Crute - Umpiring Manager
dcrute@wafc.com.au
 
Perth Football League
David Armstrong – General Manager
darmstrong@wafc.com.au
 
Youth, Community & Game Development         
Troy Kirkham - Executive Manager Youth, Community & Game Development
tkirkham@wafc.com.au
  
Bradd Gardiner - Community Development Manager (Metro South)
bgardiner@wafc.com.au
 
Corey Ranger - Club Development Team Leader (Metro Central)
cranger@wafc.com.au
 
Andrew Ridley - Community Development Manager (Metro North)
aridley@wafc.com.au
 
Country Football & Facilities     
Tom Bottrell - Executive Manager Country Football & Facilities
tbottrell@wafc.com.au
 
Facilities & Events
Josh Bowler - Manager Facilities & Events
jbowler@wafc.com.au
 
Country Football
Brent Sheridan - Manager Country Football (South)
bsheridan@wafc.com.au
 
Kane Benson - Manager Country Football (North)
M: 0429 070 373  |  E: kbenson@wafc.com.au
 
Corporate Services       
Anna Lane - Executive Manager Corporate Services
alane@wafc.com.au
 
Governance Strategy & People 
Linda Hamersley - Executive Manager Governance, Strategy & Workforce Planning
lhamersley@wafc.com.au