Call to keep Peel in the WAFL

28/7/01
Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter has called on the Western Australian Football League clubs to keep Peel Football Club in the competition.
The call came ahead of a vote on the future of the club by the WAFL clubs at the end of the season.
In a letter to the club presidents, Mr Carpenter said he fully understands the concern about the state of football in Western Australia and the difficulties in having a nine-team competition.
"However, axing Peel would be counterproductive," he said.
"The club's on-field and off-field performance has been improving and Peel is in an area of rapid population growth where the interests of football need to be nurtured and encouraged.
"This is not the time for the WAFL clubs to appear regressive.
"There is an opportunity to make very positive changes to improve the overall structure of football in WA - an opportunity that might be jeopardised by unnecessary division.
"I am very supportive of a restructure of WA football that would give the WAFL clubs a much stronger position."
Mr Carpenter said he recently visited South Australia and was very impressed with the structure, which incorporates local league clubs and supporters.
"There are nine clubs in the South Australian National Football League and I believe we can have a successful and vibrant WAFL with nine clubs," he said.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9213 6800