Fong Steps Down as Falcons President

19 August 2024
Media Release

Fong Steps Down as Falcons President

Dr Neale Fong will step down as President of the West Perth Football Club at end of the season. Fong was brought in by the WA Football Commission in 2018 after the club was placed in voluntary administration and has served for seven years.

Since that time, the club has achieved numerous milestones, including a remarkable League Premiership in 2022, the establishment and consolidation of the Women’s program with three Rogers Cup Premierships,  and a degree of club financial security with a healthy balance sheet. The club will make its final repayment of the WAFC loan this season and be debt free.

Fong stated, “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, however it is time for new leadership to bring fresh energy and ideas to the club. I am confident that the next President will continue to build on our successes and lead the club to even greater heights.”

WAFC Chair Wayne Martin commented, “The WAFC and WA football generally are most grateful to Neale for agreeing to take on the challenging role of President of WPFC after it had been placed into administration. Under his leadership, operations continued on and off the field with little or no interruption and proper governance and financial stability were restored to a club which has long been and remains a vital component of football in WA. Implementation of his  vision of greater engagement with the communities of the northern suburbs places the club well for future success on and off the field.”

Having started at the club as a Year 12 student playing Colts in 1976,  Fong played league football in 1985-86 and previously served as a director in 1993-94, the year the club moved to Joondalup from Leederville Oval. After having served as WAFC Chair for nearly 10 years Fong responded to a  call from then WAFC Chair Murray McHenry  to come out of football retirement to lead his club with club stalwart Ross Kelly as his deputy.

Joe McCarthy Club CEO stated, “The West Perth Football Club thanks our president for 48 years of connection and dedicated service, but especially the past seven years”.