State Government and AFL commit to junior football

16/4/03
The development of junior football in Western Australia is set for a big boost, thanks to the joint efforts of the WA Government, the Australian Football League (AFL) and the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC).
Premier Geoff Gallop and AFL chief executive Wayne Jackson today announced they had accepted a WAFC proposal that involved extra football development funding from the AFL and an agreement by the Government to provide a surety for the WAFC's $34.5million debt on the redevelopment of Subiaco Oval.
Seen together, the Government surety and increased AFL financial support will provide an ongoing benefit to football in WA, including about an extra $800,000 toward player development over the next year.
Although the Government surety does not represent a cost to Government, it will enable the football commission to negotiate more generous terms on the debt, including a lower interest rate.
Those negotiations will lead to an ongoing reduction in the commission's debt-servicing costs. In the first year, a benefit of about $400,000 is expected.
Dr Gallop said stringent conditions and financial monitoring of the WAFC's financial statements were a part of the arrangement.
"The State Government regards the provision of a loan surety for the WAFC as a sound investment in football, a game that is an integral part of the social and sporting culture of this State," he said.
"We are pleased to have been able to play a part in the restructure of the football commission's debt, and equally pleased that the AFL has been willing to boost its support for WA football."
For its part, the AFL has agreed to increase by $400,000 per annum the level of annual funding it provides to WA football, concentrating on achieving higher participation levels.
Mr Jackson said the AFL was a direct beneficiary of WA's strong football development structure.
"WA has produced some of football's biggest stars, and I am confident it will continue to do so," he said.
"But the development of talent does not happen by accident. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of resources to get it right.
"We see this as a very good investment by the AFL in the future of its national player base as well as being good for WA football."
WAFC Chairman Neale Fong welcomed the input by the Government and the AFL.
"The commission appreciates the level of understanding shown by the Government and the AFL and their willingness to help strengthen the development structure of football in WA," Dr Fong said.
"The loan structure put in place three years ago was the best we could negotiate at that time and it enabled us to develop a football stadium that is well suited to the needs of the game now and into the future.
"But the surety provided by the Government and the additional funding from the AFL will ease the financial pressure and enable us to invest more in the future of the game - at grass roots level."
The Premier acknowledged the role of the Department of Sport and Recreation in bringing all of the parties together to ensure that at the end of the day the best outcome for all was achieved.
Premier's office: 9222 9475