WAFC STATEMENT ON PERTH STADIUM OPERATOR DECISION

Premier Colin Barnett this week announced that Stadium Australia Operations, the operator of ANZ Stadium in Sydney, had been chosen as the preferred operator for the new Perth Stadium.

WAFC Chairman Murray McHenry provided the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed about this decision and believe that football and its major international partners have the experience, skills and imagination to operate Perth Stadium on behalf of all West Australians.”

“We are now deeply concerned about the future financial model for WA football because stadium operations have been critical to the development and success of the game.”

“At all times during the development of Perth Stadium the State Government has reassured football that the sport will be no worse off as a result of the new venue. We now need the Government to show how this will be the case in order to safeguard the future of our game.”

“We need the State Government to progress discussions on how to preserve football’s financial future as the sport now has no certainty for its future.”

“We will immediately start re-assessing how to sustain the ongoing growth and development of football and its various operations like Auskick, Community Football, WAFL, Female Football, indigenous and multicultural programs.”

“This decision also presents us with a range of concerns about the potential user agreements for our two AFL clubs at Perth Stadium and whether they will generate sufficient returns to sustain football in Western Australia.”

The following summarises points made by the WAFC:

•    The WAFC continues to support the development of Perth Stadium because of its ability to showcase football to larger audiences.

•    The arrangements to play AFL at Perth Stadium will ultimately be determined by the AFL, West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Football Club through the negotiation of key user agreements with the State Government.

•    There is currently no confirmed opening date for Perth Stadium and no closing date for Domain Stadium.

•    Without a closing date, Perth Stadium Management (PSM) must focus on maximising revenue from Domain Stadium and delivering great fan experiences for as long as it operates the venue. PSM’s ongoing obligations include providing an AFL standard venue; the training ground for West Coast Eagles and seeking other revenue generating activities such as concerts, functions and other events. The WAFC’s offices are also within Domain Stadium. 

•    The long-term future use of Domain Stadium is expected to form a key part of WAFC’s negotiations with the State Government.

•    Football is the largest participant sport in Western Australia with more than 200,000 people directly involved as players or in other roles. The WAFC is committed to ensuring that its key funding streams are maintained in the future to sustain the sport in the community across all of Western Australia.  

•    Football is broadly able to invest $15 million per annum into football in the community, primarily as a result of the sport’s ability to generate revenue from Domain Stadium.

•    The WAFC is now focussed on restarting discussions with Government to ensure that it has long-term revenue to enable the growth and development of football in Western Australia.

•    The WAFC is confident that it will reach an agreement with the Government on revenue and this should reassure community football groups across the State.

•    The WAFC has noted and welcomed the comments by the State Government that it remains supportive of football’s role in the Western Australian community.