WAFL heads to Kalgoorlie thanks to Rio Tinto Wednesday, April 20, 2022 - 1:55 PM - by Rachael Osborne

A mid-May WAFL match has been confirmed to be played in the footy rich town of Kalgoorlie, with Subiaco taking on Swan Districts in Round 5, aligning to the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls round, in the lead up to Reconciliation Week.

Rio Tinto are the major partners, supporting the game which will be played on the Sir Richard Moore Oval having last hosted a WAFL League match back in 2014 between Subiaco and Perth.

John Bowler, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor said hosting a WAFL match would be a big coup for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community.

“We have no doubt that a big crowd will turn up at Sir Richard Moore Oval,” he said.

“The Subiaco Football Club do a fantastic job and are actively involved in our region through the Goldfields Lion Pride Academy. This fixture will enable these kids to see their heroes up close at a live game, having a long-lasting impact to motivate them to be the best that they can be.”

The Subiaco Football Club is planning a range of Community and Indigenous Engagement activities in the lead up to and as part of its match day experience.

Planned activities include:

• Players from both teams wearing specially designed Indigenous jumpers, with Subiaco’s paying homage to the club's deep connection to the goldfields region;
• Delivery of a Coaching, Education and Cultural Awareness session with Goldfields Football League (GFL) stakeholders; and
• Indigenous All Stars vs GFL Colts team prior to the League game.

WAFC Aboriginal and Inclusion Leader and Swan Districts Club legend, Phil Narkle, will be travelling to Kalgoorlie as part of an advanced party to assist in delivering a number of these planned community activities.

Narkle said the game shows great potential for Football in the acknowledgement and inclusion of the Traditional Owners.

“We are looking forward to working closely with local elders in the lead up to the game and on match day to ensure that football assists in key Cultural Awareness engagement activities”.

About the Rio Tinto Regional WAFL Fixture Funding Program

Developed in partnership between the WAFC and Rio Tinto, the Regional WAFL Fixture Funding Program aims to deliver enhanced Cultural Awareness and Regional Engagement opportunities for the West Australian Football League.

Adam Lees, Chief Indigenous Affairs Advisor at Rio Tinto said “Rio Tinto is proud to be the Major Partner of Indigenous Programs across Football in Western Australia”.

“Football plays an integral role in regional communities throughout Western Australia and Rio Tinto is delighted to provide the support required to assist in taking WAFL games to these regions”.

The program enables WAFL Clubs to apply for funding to take fixtures to their regional development zones. In season 2022 this program is enabling the Round 5 fixture between Subiaco and Swan Districts to take place in Kalgoorlie whilst providing support to the East Fremantle Football Club to enhance Indigenous Engagement outcomes for its Round 3 fixture in Northampton.

Applications for the 2023 Rio Tinto Regional WAFL Fixture Funding Program will be open in October/November 2022.