WEST PERTH BOARD MAKE DECISION ON NAME CHANGE

THE West Perth Football Club's Board of Directors has made the decision not to explore the possibility of changing the club's name.

The Board’s decision not to pursue the matter means the club will continue to compete in the WAFL as West Perth Football Club in 2017 and beyond.

In recent months, speculation has been rife that the club was considering changing its name. This speculation occurred following a City of Joondalup Council resolution they would only continue their $40,000 per year sponsorship if the club changed its name to better reflect its location. 
West Perth Football Club President Brett Raponi outlined that the Board made the decision to not put the proposal to the members to keep the club's history intact.

"A cost-benefit analysis had shown there are no tangible benefits to be gained from adopting a new name," Raponi said.

"Any name change would have required the approval of members in any case. The Board has decided not to proceed to that stage.

"Further, the club received representations from several of its most prominent players and supporters who were all in favour of retaining the name the club has used since 1891."

West Perth will continue to work with both the City of Joondalup and the City of Wanneroo to ensure it continues to play its role in the community with no less energy and enthusiasm.

Since the West Perth Football Club moved to Joondalup at the end of the 1993 season, it has maintained its position as the highest profile sporting club in the northern suburbs.

Over the next 22 seasons it has called Joondalup's HBF Arena home, West Perth has made seven grand finals and won four premierships, the most recent of which came in 2013.

Membership numbers have increased in each of the past six years and currently sits at more than 3500. In five of the past six seasons, HBF Arena has attracted the largest aggregate and highest average attendances in the WAFL.

HBF Arena is also undergoing a $20-million redevelopment that will include brand new facilities for the West Perth Football Club which will not only be used for the Falcons football teams, but to benefit the community of the northern suburbs as a whole.

Raponi reaffirmed the commitment of the West Perth Football Club to the Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo.

"We look forward to continuing this working relationship with Joondalup and Wanneroo, both of whom have previously acknowledged the significant contribution the club makes to the northern suburbs," Raponi said.