Footy targets 200,000 for new stadiumWednesday, August 14, 2013 - 3:30 PM

THE West Australian Football Commission is targeting 200,000 participants by the time the new stadium is scheduled for completion in 2017 after celebrating the 150,000 milestone on Friday night.

The outstanding growth of footy to 153,147 participants in 2013 has been driven largely by a 900-strong team of Coles AFL School Ambassadors. These footy teachers were officially recognized at Patersons Stadium on Friday, August 9.

WAFC Director of Game Development Warren Nel said the Ambassador program had helped drive the massive growth in participation, which would be a crucial foundation for a new stadium with a greater capacity.

“To exceed 150,000 participants is a huge milestone for WA football and sees participation now almost double cricket and more than triple soccer,” Mr Nel said.

“We are now targeting 200,000 participants by 2017 to ensure football’s base grows to support the new stadium, and in turn is supported by better financial outcomes from the new stadium.

“The 2013 total is likely to grow even further once numbers are finalised for all football programs of six weeks and greater, so we are on track to hit our targets.

“It’s fantastic that through our School Ambassador network, football is also helping to enhance learning outcomes with themed lessons focusing on literacy and numeracy. The WAFC is extremely proud of the role it plays in the community and the work of our School Ambassadors is critical in achieving this,” Mr Nel said.

“We are also well aware of the challenges involved in keeping our kids physically and mentally healthy and football is committed to playing a significant role in addressing this.”

WA’s top footy teachers were recognized at a gala dinner on Friday night (August 9) featuring special guests Kepler Bradely from the Fremantle Football Club and Callum Sinclair from the West Coast Eagles, as well as South Fremantle Football Club coach Paul Hasleby.

As well as celebrating the 150,000 milestone, awards were presented for the most outstanding Coles AFL School Ambassador, Primary and High School Ambassador, outstanding female program, multicultural program, indigenous program and most outstanding first year Ambassador.

The Coles AFL School Ambassadors have been one of football’s most valuable recruits since the program started in WA in 2004. More than 1100 teachers have been inducted during the last decade and there are currently 989 Ambassadors active in WA schools.

2013 COLES AFL SCHOOL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

Coles AFL Outstanding Service Award – Justin Burt

Justin has developed a highly regarded Australian Football program at Wanneroo Secondary College. His key initiative for 2012/2013 was a tour where students travelled to Cambodia to pass on football knowledge and experience a different culture.

Outstanding Coles Primary School Ambassador – Darius Schwarz

Darius has been pivotal in the coordination, promotion and increasing the number of Primary Schools participating in the Eagles Cup. He has also been involved with the Dockers Cup, Eagles Rock My School, Dockers Shield, AFL Multicultural Gala day, Freo Skills 4 Schools and hosted the interactive literacy program ‘Eagles Edge’ launch at Lockridge Primary School.

Outstanding Coles High School Ambassador – Chris Tan

Ran a specialist footy program for Year 8, 9 and 10 students. In 2013 he developed a pathway for girls footy starting with a Year 9 “taster” unit which progressed into a full five week sporting unit in Year 10.  This has seen a large surge in girls footy with a full Senior girls team and representatives into Youth girls footy plus two players selected to trial for State representation.

Outstanding Coles First Year School Ambassador – Tanya Ierace

Tanya's work includes girls only Freo House Footy programs, Football PE lessons,  assisting the Pinjarra SHS Senior Boys team and making links with girls from all competitions to encourage them to play in the Peel Thunderbirds Youth Girls team for 2013

Outstanding School Ambassador conducting an Indigenous Program – Terry Pass

A long time ambassador and supporter of footy in the district, Terry is instrumental in making sure kids of all backgrounds are able to experience AFL within the Armadale area. As well as mainstream WAFC and AFL programs such as Freo Fundamentals, Eagles Cup, Faction Footy and school clinics, he  also makes sure the school provides the services and support necessary to help kids transition to club footy and participate with their friends.

Outstanding School Ambassador conducting a Female Program – Laura Harper

Laura Harper moved late last year from the UK and began her role as Phys Ed teacher at Bullsbrook DHS in 2013. She attended the AFLSA Induction in February and has since organised clinics and engaged in after school sport where football has been linked with the local junior football team, Chittering JFC. She has also been able to promote and support nearly every Swans District program.

Outstanding School Ambassador conducting Multicultural Program – James McIntyre

James has been an excellent representative for the AFLSA program, maintaining the link between football and school, which is highlighted by his passion in incorporating AFL programs at East Butler PS where more than 50 percent of students are English born or come from a multicultural background. The relationship between James and the West Perth Football District is very strong as he is the West Perth DFDC Primary Schools Advisor. He sits on the DFDC engaging planners on all things schools, issues, concepts and engages district staff on ideas and programs regularly.