West Perth Womens Football Facebook page
Camera IconWest Perth Womens Football Facebook page Credit: Supplied/West Perth Womens Football Facebook page

WAFL: West Perth can’t afford to field women’s team

Justin BianchiniJoondalup Times

WAFL club West Perth, which narrowly survived voluntary administration last year and is finalising payment to creditors, will not field a team in the new women’s league this season.

President Neale Fong told Community News it was no secret the Falcons would not be represented in the league after explaining their reasons to a club AGM on December 15.

“We just weren’t able to financially support it… we’re still trying to stabilise our overall financial situation,” he said.

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Fong said the club had calculated it would cost more than $50,000 – “money we just don’t have” – after the WA Football Commission had called for submissions last year from the then nine WAFL clubs.

He said West Perth, which had been the first club to have a women’s team, would still support their women playing in a lower league.

“It’s not because we don’t want one (a team in the new league),” he said.

Fong said costs associated with fielding a team included paying to use Joondalup Arena.

He said the reformed West Perth board was working on sponsorship for this season.

“Hopefully we’re on track to attract big sponsors over the next month,” he said.

“We’re very happy with the recruiting.

“The senior coach (Geoff Valentine) has settled in.

“We’re getting all the traditional club revenues lined up.

“And we’re pretty happy with our fixture.”

Fong said the club was organising its Corporate Classic function where businesses could enter a lottery for between $500 and $600 and be drawn out as a major jumper sponsor.

“It’s a great opportunity for not much money to get behind the club,” he said.

“And if you’re lucky on the night you can get pretty good exposure.”

He said West Perth was also keen to get a naming rights sponsor for its playing oval, Joondalup Arena.