Outgoing WAFC chair Wayne Martin is confident WA footy is well placed to overcome significant challenges
Outgoing West Australian Football Commission chair Wayne Martin says negotiations are a “long way apart” with the State Government on future funding.
Martin, who will step down at the end of this year after almost five years at the helm, says those discussions will be one of the biggest challenges facing the incoming chair Ian Callaghan.
The government entered a 10-year agreement with the WAFC worth an estimated $11.5 million per season after football left a lucrative lease at Subiaco Oval to play at Optus Stadium for the start of 2017.
Those early negotiations were protracted as football believed it deserved a bigger slice of revenue to play at the plush new Burswood Stadium, which cost taxpayers $1.6 billion.
The AFL did not contribute to the project.
The WAFC relies on State Government funding, as well as royalties from the two AFL clubs, Fremantle and West Coast, to run football in this State at all levels.
“At the moment we and the State are quite a long way apart in relation to how we see that going,” Martin said.
Camera IconThe WA Government and the WAFC are a long way apart from a new deal. Credit: John Koh/The West Australian
“It is going to be a significant issue and will have a potentially significant impact on revenues available to football for the decade that starts in 2027.
“It was a funding agreement we entered into when we surrendered Subiaco Oval. It was a fixed figure for the first 10 years and that ends in 2027.”
Martin described the funding formula for the revised figure as “fairly complicated”.
Former WA Chief Justice Martin, 71, has opted not to seek re-election when his second term ends on December 31.
Commissioners can serve a maximum of three, three-year terms.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve on the WAFC during a time of significant challenge and change,” Martin said.
“I am confident that all levels of the game are well placed for future growth and development, and it is a good time for me to hand over the reins to someone with fresh eyes and vision to lead the WAFC through its next phase.”
Callaghan, who recently retired as chief operating officer of Curtin University and is a life member of WAFL club Perth, has had a long career in executive and non-executive roles in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors.
He was a director at the Demons for six years and a key driver behind Curtin University’s ongoing partnership with the Fremantle Dockers.
Martin said the other “significant issue” facing the WAFC is finding a permanent headquarters.
“We are a tenant out at Tuart College. We haven’t been able to find a location or the financial structure that will enable us to have a permanent home,” he said.
Camera IconIan Callaghan will take over from Martin. Credit: NIC MONTAGU
Martin’s tenure on the board began in January 2019 before he was elevated to chair 12 months later.
He guided the WAFC through one of its most challenging periods, through the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured that WA football continued, albeit in a shortened format, through his dealings with WAFL clubs, the State Government and other local stakeholders.
Martin also oversaw a significant staffing restructure following a 2020 parliamentary inquiry into WAFC funding.
The inquiry was launched after then Sports Minister Mick Murray aired concerns a third of WAFC’s revenue was spent on staff and not enough was being directed to grassroots football.
The inquiry found the State Government provided $11 million a year to the WAFC as part of the proceeds from Optus Stadium and the the Eagles and Dockers had “too much power” in deciding the make-up of the commission board.
The election of commissioners was as a result reformed to be more representative of community football.
Camera IconWayne Martin is seen during the Sandover Medal Walk launch at Subiaco Oval. Credit: Matt Jelonek/The West Australian
Former Tennis West CEO Michael Roberts was appointed the WAFC’s new chief executive in early 2021.
The WAFC under Martin has also been at the vanguard of upgrading concussion protocols.
The WAFC was one of the first sporting codes to adopt 21-day return to play protocols from head impact injuries across all grades of football.
In 2023, the commission began trialling 180 instrumental mouthguards to examine the number and intensity of collisions across junior, WAFL and WAFLW competitions.
“As the WAFC continues to expand this program, the growing data collection will enhance our understanding of the game’s safety and help ensure a safer experience for all participants,” a WAFC media release said.
“Martin has encouraged the WAFC to focus on the future of the sport by prioritising the health, safety and wellbeing of all participants to ensure that WA football remains at the forefront of education, research and best practice in concussion management.”
Camera IconThe WAFL will now have equal representation in the WAFLW. Credit: Claremont FC/RegionalHUB
The WAFC launched the Kimberley Investment Framework in 2022, securing $5 million of State Government and AFL funding over five years to promote community participation.
Under Martin, female participation grew exponentially to almost 16,000, an increase of 55 per cent, while the WAFLW competition was launched with five teams in 2019.
All nine WAFL clubs will participate in next year’s WAFLW competition, following with the inclusion of Perth.
The WAFC board now has equal representation of men and women “demonstrating a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within the organisation and across the sport”. That move also secured more State Government funding.
Roberts said Martin’s “leadership across all of football in WA has led to greater collaboration amongst all stakeholders”.
“His ability to balance the pressures from internal and external stakeholders and support the executive has enabled the staff to be able to focus on delivering our strategy and maintaining our focus of making Australian Rules football in WA truly the game for all Western Australians,” he said.
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