The West Australian Football Commission has appointed a new Executive Manager - Country Football and Facilities to increase support to regional football and planning for community facilities.

Tom Bottrell, who played 200 WAFL games for South Fremantle and has been the club’s CEO since January 2017, will commence in the role at the end of July.

Mr Bottrell has also served as CEO of the Stephen Michael Foundation since 2017 and was CEO at Swan Districts Football Club for five years prior to that.

He said he was looking forward to applying his skills and experience to the new WAFC role, which will encompass football competitions and facilities right across the State.

“This is a great opportunity for me that also demonstrates a pathway for administrators, just as there is for players, coaches and umpires,” he said.

“The responsibility of overseeing 25 football leagues and aligning the player pathway across country WA, as well as the WAFC Strategic Facilities Plan is really exciting.”

“Country football is such an important part of the game and I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting everyone I will be working with.”

“There is also a lot of work required to ensure we continue developing community football facilities to cater for WA’s impressive participation growth, particularly with female football, so I am also looking forward to the opportunity this presents.”

WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor said he was excited to welcome Mr Bottrell to the WAFC’s Executive management team and looking forward to working closely on strategies to enhance football across WA.

“Tom is a high-quality appointment, that brings a good mix of football and business administration experience and I am really looking forward to working with him in this new role,” Mr Taylor said.

“This position forms part of the WAFC’s new Executive structure that was announced at the beginning of the year to align with the key priorities of our business and the broader football industry.”

“It will provide increased support for regional football with a particular focus on strengthening country competitions and boosting participation from junior through to senior football.”

“Country football provides so many benefits to local communities and we want to ensure that we can keep football prospering across our great State.”

“As we grow our numbers in the game we also need to ensure we are effectively planning for football facilities with both our clubs plus Local and State Governments. Tom will play an important part in leading the long-term planning, funding and development opportunities for facilities across WA.”

WA Country Football League President John Shadbolt said the Executive Manager role was an exciting development for country football in WA that demonstrated the WAFC’s commitment to growing the game across regional communities.

“We are excited to have Tom coming into this role and believe he will be a great leader and manager of country football,” Mr Shadbolt said.

Media contact:

Steve Tuohey
T: 08 9287 5513
M: 0438 930 961
E: stuohey@wafc.com.au