Football West recently announced the launch of their 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, a documentation affiliated with Football Australia’s One Football Strategy that will set the direction for football in Western Australia for the coming years.
The plan will see Football West improve the game under five essential departments:
- Participants and Clubs
- Elite Teams and Pathways
- Fans
- Unifying Football
- Asia and the Sam Kerr Football Centre
Participants and Clubs
The first pillar has the aim to make Football the most accessible sport in Western Australia where everyone can play anytime, anywhere.
There are key targets set such as: Increase registrations by 5% per annum, increase participation by 3% per annum and have 95% of clubs and associations with a completed affiliation agreement (presently 82%).
Another key focus is the development of women and girls football which isn’t surprising after the recent Women’s World Cup success. Football West set a goal of 42,500 additional women & girls playing football across the three year plan.
Elite Teams and Pathways
This pillar focuses simply on the development of talent at all ages in a bid to improve the quality of the game in Western Australia.
The focus areas are Delivery of a state-wide Football West Academy program, Frequent and consistent talent identification opportunities and High quality coach development pathway
Fans
Football West is focusing on optimising the fan experience and grassroots to improve attendance numbers and social media engagement.
Unifying Football
They will develop a resourcing model that allows for the servicing of responsibilities between Football Australia and Football West, formalised in a Service Agreement
Asia and the Sam Kerr Football Centre
Football West will look to improve international exchanges with Asian countries and use the Sam Kerr Football Centre to secure sponsorships and play big matches there by 2026.
Football West Chairman Sherif Andrawes mentioned the vision that the federation has for the future of football across all levels.
“We are excited to present the Strategic Plan to the WA football community. This is a vision that will see football move forward in tandem with Football Australia but with a strong WA focus,” Andrawes said in a statement.
“Football is in a great position across the state. We saw during the FIFA Women’s World Cup and, more recently, when the CommBank Matildas played in Perth, that our sport is unique in its widespread appeal. This passion can be felt across all areas of the game.
“We want to be bold and ambitious, and the Strategic Plan gives us a strong base from which to deliver on that.”
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell was excited to announce how the Strategic Plan would be implemented successfully.
“This Strategic Plan is a real statement of intent and one we are proud to deliver. Harnwell mentioned in a Football West statement.
“Football is more popular than it has ever been in Western Australia, in terms of participation, inclusivity and popularity, and we should all be proud of this. However, we cannot rest on our laurels.
“As a governing body, we want to make our game even more accessible, so we can inspire a new generation to love football. That comes through hard work, consultation and direction, all of which are key to the Strategic Plan.”
The Strategic Plan is well set out and focuses on the current struggles the federation is having at grassroots level. Partnering closely with Football Australia will help them achieve the ambitious goals set out to improve both the state and national foundation.
