WA Football closes in on 200,000 targetFriday, September 26, 2014 - 1:13 PM

THE West Australian Football Commission has taken a significant step towards its target of 200,000 participants by 2018 after increasing participation by a further 10.67% this season.

WAFC CEO Gary Walton said the growth of WA Football from 164,428 participants in 2013 to 178,651 in 2014 was a crucial step towards ensuring interest in the game was maximised to coincide with the completion of the new Perth Stadium.

“We are targeting 200,000 participants to ensure football helps build a solid foundation for the new stadium and its increased capacity, and in turn is supported by better financial outcomes from the new stadium,” he said.

“Increased participation also has increased costs associated, so it’s crucial that the WAFC can continue generating the funds required to grow, promote and develop football at all levels throughout the State when the construction of the new stadium is complete.

“The WAFC also eagerly anticipates the completion of commercial negotiations with the State to ensure that the new stadium builds on the current integrated WA football model, which has been extremely successful for the game in this State,” he said.

“The success of the model has been driven by the thousands of volunteers who continue to underpin the delivery of the game in WA, especially the Metropolitan and Regional Football Development Councils, coaches, umpires, teachers, trainers and administrators. WAFC and WAFL club staff have also played an integral role in ensuring our code continues to be Western Australia’s number one participation sport.

“A great number of partners, both government and business, have also identified that the WAFC Development Model is a platform that can deliver mutually beneficial outcomes to the community at large. The ability to maintain investments within this growing infrastructure will continue to be a priority as we strive to reach 200,000 participants in time for the new Perth Stadium.”

2014 WA Football Participation Summary

• 178,651 Participants (6 week or greater competitions)
• 10.67% Growth in Participation in 2014
• 1 in 5 people aged 5-35 in WA participate in football
• 56 Leagues
• 531 Clubs
• 2272 Club Teams
• 2192 Male Club Teams – 53 more teams than 2013 (1,037 Junior Teams, 575 Youth Teams & 580 Senior Teams)
• 80 Female Club Teams – 15 more teams than 2013 (38 Junior Teams, 24 Youth Teams & 18 Senior Teams)
• 4135 Coaches currently accredited (1,314 accredited in 2014)
• 516 Green Shirt Umpires in WA
• 390 Football Grounds available for competition play

CLICK HERE for the full 2014 WA Football participation summary