West Perth congratulated on International RoundTuesday, August 20, 2013 - 1:30 PM

The West Australian Football Commission congratulates West Perth Football Club and the West Perth District on a highly successful International Round at Arena Joondalup on Sunday, which attracted the largest WAFL crowd of the season so far.

A total of 6195 people attended the game, making it the second consecutive year that International Round has attracted more than 6000 people after 6044 attended in 2012.

This year the initiative saw the West Perth league team play in a special one-off World Jumper, designed to embrace the West Perth District’s international community and build on the success of last year’s British Flag Jumper promotion.

WAFC General Manager Pathways & Competitions Steve Hargrave said the jumper, crowd and atmosphere at the game was fantastic and congratulated everyone involved.   

“Events like this are crucial to introduce the game to new markets and potential participants and West Perth has really set a great example of what can be done. It was also great to see so many families at the game and the support of special guests and dignitaries including Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard, local Member for Joondalup Jan Norberger, Federal Member for Moore Ian Goodenough and MLC Ken Travers,” Mr Hargrave said.

“Continuing to explore new markets and driving growth in participation is so important to ensure football’s base grows to support a new stadium. In turn, grassroots competitions including the WAFL, will then receive better financial outcomes from the new stadium.

“We recently exceeded 150,000 participants for WA football, which sees participation now almost double cricket and more than triple soccer. It is very important we continue building on this.” Mr Hargrave said.

The International Round promotion was driven by the West Perth Football District with the support of the West Perth Football Club Board and the West Australian Football Commission.

West Perth District Manager Andrew Ridley said the aim was to engage new Australians and promote Australia’s indigenous game while welcoming new communities to football.

The West Perth District (Hillarys north to Two Rocks) has the fastest growing migrant and multicultural demographic in the state and includes:

• 67% of people with one or more parent born overseas
• 46% of people born overseas (Australian average 20%)
• 9 of 28 suburbs with a UK birth population greater than 28%
• 9% of the population has migrated in the last 3 years