FALCONS TURN IT AROUND - AGM 2014

THE West Perth Football Club has announced a profit in excess of $2000 for the 2014 WAFL season signifying a turnaround of almost $300,000 on 2013 in what is an outstanding result capitalising on the hard work of those at the Falcons and of the significant support provided.

West Perth president Brett Raponi has used his year-ending address to club members to call on the West Australian Football Commission to work harder to secure football's financial future.

Speaking at the Falcons' annual general meeting of 2014, Raponi said the commission had to hold Premier Colin Barnett to his promise that football would not be financially worse off when the Burswood stadium opened in 2018.

Much of the WAFC's income is earned through its management of Patersons Stadium. It leases the ground to the AFL for both West Coast and Fremantle home games, while also collecting big fees for rugby games and concerts held at the home of football.

But the State Government wants a clean stadium at Burswood and will seek a commercial venue manager. The WAFC has formed a consortium to bid for the operating rights.

"The Premier must be held to account," Raponi said.

"I think it’s time the commission explores this because any shortfall that the WAFC has will affect football in this state. And that is the WAFL, country football, amateur football and junior football, not the AFL."

Raponi said he had written to WAFC chairman Frank Cooper and chief executive Gary Walton about several issues and had urged them to stand up to the AFL.

He was also unhappy that the draft fees paid to WAFL clubs were being reduced, continuing his address by allaying his concerns over the commission not yet being able to secure a television broadcast deal for 2015.

"The TV deal is still in a state of flux," he said.

"The commission has signed an MOU with Channel 7. But there's no sponsor. They (the WAFC) believe it will be on Channel 7 next year, but the fact they have not made an announcement says it must be somewhat in doubt."

When asked by members whether a Channel 7 deal would create a conflict because West Perth was sponsored by Channel 9, Raponi said it was a "non-issue". He said Channel 9 would again feature prominently on the front of West Perth’s jumper in 2015.

"Our deal was signed in February," Raponi said.

"The commission are fully aware of our partnership with Channel 9 and also fully aware of our precarious financial state.

"This partnership ensures the club can deliver its various community programs, as well as further invest in football programs to benefit the league team. I expect the games to be covered (on TV) the same as any other club."

But Raponi was optimistic about West Perth’s future after it booked a modest $2300 profit in 2014 – an improvement of almost $300,000 on the 2013 result. He said corporate support had been a significant factor in the result, particularly from Channel 9, Lend lease and the City of Joondalup.

Meanwhile, attendance at the club’s home games had been the highest in the league for the third consecutive season and West Perth had won its first reserves premiership since 1960, proving its great depth.

Raponi also offered his condolences to the families of former player Bob Howat and life member John Magor, both of whom died in recent months.

Earlier in the evening, chief executive David Crute announced Raponi had been elected unopposed for his fourth term as president, while all other directors had been returned for a further two years.

Crute thanked unsuccessful candidate Jessy Edmunds for her interest and said he would seek to actively engage her in other aspects of the club next year.

Full Vote Count
Rob Jackson – 268
Chris Erikson – 267
Richard Homsany – 261
Rebecca Pearce – 260
Scott Ballem – 259
Steve Morgan – 248
Jessy Edmunds – 105