The Miley Cyrus Pandemic and the WAFL

Feb 1, 2008
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The West Australian Football League, WAFLW, and WA Talent programs have been postponed until May 31st in an effort to reduce the spread of Coronavirus throughout our community.

The decision has been made together with the AFL and State football bodies around Australia as part of a national approach to protect the well-being of all players, coaches, umpires, officials, staff and volunteers.

West Australian Football Commission CEO Gavin Taylor said the WAFC was now focussed on guiding and supporting WAFL clubs through this unprecedented and extremely challenging period.
 

Ausbenito

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Have had a vision Mark Mcgowan and WA government choose to keep the state locked down abandon the pro herd immunity scientists and wait it out until a vaccine is readily available to the vunerable.
This leaves the WAFL to resume on May 31st with the Eagles reserves and Peel Thunder short priced favourites to quinella the Grand Final WAFL games beamed into interstate households for keen viewers.
Can it or will it happen?
 
Feb 1, 2008
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This week we have made a funding submission to the AFL and have also written to the CEO of the West Australian Local Government Association to seek support for all WAFL and community clubs to get through this period, which could include revised lease arrangements, license and hire fee arrangements. We have also been in contact with DLGCSI relating to the State's recent announcement for special event and community club funding. The funding packages have not been finalised but will be open for WA football clubs. More information to follow.
The WAFC is also establishing a COVID-19 Industry Steering Committee with representatives being asked to work alongside the WAFC to provide advice, support and input into the challenges and key decisions we need to make as an industry going forward.

To assist football clubs throughout Western Australia during this period, the WAFC will also be providing Club Support Packages and contributing $1m from its Reserves to establish a WA Football COVID-19 Emergency Sustainability Fund, which includes providing access to short term loan facilities.

This week, the WAFC has provided all community clubs a resource to assist in reviewing the club’s financial position so that any financial risks in this challenging period can be clearly understood and addressed.
 

kranger

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Nov 30, 2006
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Is there a big opportunity ahead for the WAFL?

No doubt the AFL hub idea will end up being based in Victoria.

If WA remains with closed borders, there will be no AFL games here this year. Could there be big turn outs to WAFL matches, when they return and are allowed crowds again, as West Aussies would be dieing to go to live footy games?
 
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Jan 18, 2002
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Is there a big opportunity ahead for the WAFL?

No doubt the AFL hub idea will end up being based in Victoria.

If WA remains with closed borders, there will be no AFL games here this year. Could there be big turn outs to WAFL matches, when they return and are allowed crowds again, as West Aussies would be dieing to go to live footy games?

I think the WAFL has the chance to get on the front foot and get ready to startup quickly when the red light is given.

The AFL teams will need longer to get all players together.
 

Spearhead

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Aug 16, 2009
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Ridiculously quiet out of WAFC HQ.
Why are they waiting on the afl to make a decision on our own 135yo premier state competition's future?
 
The 2020 WAFL season will begin on 1 August after the nine club CEO's met with WAFC chairman Grant Taylor today. This year will see a nine team competition with each side to play each other once followed by a finals series. The Grand Final is set to be the week before the AFL Grand Final and may possibly be on the weekend of 17-18 October 2020.

East Perth's Kyle Anderson and Sharrod Wellingham have also announced their retirements from the WAFL.
 
Feb 1, 2008
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wafl.com

Yesterday’s announcement by the State Government that restrictions will be eased further from next Saturday June 6th to allow contact sport and group gatherings of up to 100 people, is great news for community football in Western Australia as we work towards a full return to play.

As a result, the WAFC will be updating its Return to Play Guidelines ahead of next weekend and working with all football competitions across Western Australia to help finalise their return to play dates.

As we prepare to move towards full competition, we will work through a staged and planned approach with our many stakeholders. This will include working with Leagues, Clubs, Umpires and all volunteers to ensure we can effectively plan a safe return to football.

Importantly, we will need to work with Local Governments across WA to confirm venue availability and access conditions ahead of any return dates being set, whilst also working on fixtures, bylaws and player registrations.

With this in mind, it is acknowledged that football competitions across WA may recommence on different dates and that not all will be ready to resume in line with Government restrictions being eased on June 6th.

This date provides a starting point for a return to play, and also provides the date from which full contact training can occur. This is an exciting outcome made possible by the terrific work of everyone in our community to follow the rules and demonstrate that we are committed to stopping the spread of Covid-19.

We will continue to engage with the State on the next steps and timing for the increase of spectators, as we appreciate that spectators play such an important role in supporting the financial viability of our clubs right across WA.

Over the next week, it is important that all clubs continue following current State Government restrictions and WAFC Return to Training Protocols, which includes the 10-point checklist. Training must also continue to be non-contact under current guidelines.

On behalf of the WA Football Commission, we’d like to thank you for your efforts to date and ongoing patience, support and understanding as we continue working towards a safe return to play.

Due to the significant financial impact of Covid-19 on our organisation the WAFC will continue to operate with a reduced workforce, with those staff placed on stand-down or reduced hours to remain until July 31st.

Thankfully, these employees have been eligible to receive the JobKeeper payment while the WAFC has continued its core business with reduced operational requirements.

This has been an extremely challenging period for our team who have given so much to our great game. Thanks for your patience and understanding that our staff’s response times may be a little bit slower during this period.

Outlined below are the key contacts that will remain in place until July 31st and be responsible for WAFC projects, football operations and assisting with COVID-19 challenges and issues. We would also encourage you to click here for the latest WAFC updates and information on COVID-19 and the return to football in 2020.

Thanks for your ongoing support of WA Football and the role you are playing in the health and wellbeing of our community.
 
Perth have signed three of West Coast's WAFL players for 2020. Fraser McInnes returns to his old club with Brady Grey and Andrew Fisher joining him at the Demons.
 

Spearhead

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Aug 16, 2009
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Are the WAFC bringing forward a few weeks the ridiculous August 1st start date for the WAFL?
Still 6 weeks away whilst every other footy comp has started or is in the next few weeks!
 
Are the WAFC bringing forward a few weeks the ridiculous August 1st start date for the WAFL?
Still 6 weeks away whilst every other footy comp has started or is in the next few weeks!

Yes, they've brought the season commencement forward by two weeks to 18 July 2020.

Round One Fixtures - Saturday 18 July 2020

South Fremantle vs East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval
Swan Districts vs West Perth at Steel Blue Oval
Subiaco vs Claremont at Leederville Oval
Peel Thunder vs Perth at David Grays Arena
Bye: East Perth


Quarters will be 16 minutes plus time on to align with the AFL for this season. Each team will play each other once followed by a top four finals series culminating in a Grand Final on the first weekend of October. The Reserves and Colts competitions will also begin on the 18th as well.

At this stage stage the derby will probably be the TV game although that's still to be confirmed at this stage.
 

Spearhead

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Aug 16, 2009
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With the Stage 4 restrictions eased from Saturday why are we waiting another 3 weeks to kick off the season?
And why are we not playing more than a pitiful 8 games for the 2020 season for goodness sake?
 
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