Purpose of the Partnership
OUR PARTNERSHIP
WA Football and Country Football WA work in partnership to grow, govern and sustain community Australian Rules Football across regional Western Australia.
The relationship ensures that regional football is both:
- Strategically aligned with the statewide football system, and
- Locally governed and responsive to regional communities.
Roles of each organisation
WA Football is the state governing body for Australian Rules Football in Western Australia and provides:
- Strategic leadership for the football system
- Alignment with AFL national priorities
- Investment in participation, facilities and programs
- Policy, governance and regulatory frameworks
- High-performance and talent pathways
- System-wide integrity and compliance oversight
WA Football also provides resourcing, staff support and strategic investment to strengthen regional football.
Country Football WA is the peak representative body for regional football leagues and clubs across Western Australia. It:
- Represents the interests of regional leagues and clubs
- Provides governance and leadership for country football
- Supports leagues to operate sustainable competitions
- Advocates for regional football needs
- Works directly with communities across regional WA
Country Football WA ensures that local knowledge, regional realities and volunteer leadership shape the development of football outside the metropolitan area.
Our core
Principles
The partnership is built on three core principles.
Both organisations are committed to ensuring that regional communities have strong, sustainable and inclusive football competitions.
WA Football provides statewide strategy, investment and system alignment, while Country Football WA provides regional leadership, representation and community connection.
Programs, funding initiatives, facility planning and participation strategies are typically developed and delivered collaboratively, ensuring that statewide priorities translate effectively into regional contexts.
Why this partnership matters
Regional Western Australia represents:
The WA Football–CFWA partnership ensures that country football remains strong, sustainable and connected to the broader football system, while still being led by the communities that sustain it.
