WAFL locks in big sponsors

IN a coup for the future of football in Western Australia, the Western Australia Football League (WAFL) has announced the signings of major companies Optus and Kia as broadcast and competition sponsors.

In the biggest league news since Channel Seven announced a three year broadcast deal in 2015, the telecommunications giant and international car manufacturer will primarily be involved in the Seven Network’s game day telecast. It is hoped that the new multi-year deal will lead to an increase in financial investment being poured back into WAFL clubs, with a key emphasis on improving lighting at venues around the league.

The deals may even lead to the WAFL playing night matches at the historic WACA ground, which has been mooted as a possible venue for broadcasting WAFL games.  

WA Football Commission chief executive officer Gavin Taylor told The West Australian that sponsorships from high calibre companies was a sign of the WAFL’s currency as an elite competition with potential market value.

“These high-profile organisations joining WAFL naming rights partner McDonald’s and broadcast partner TABtouch as sponsors of the WAFL is a great testament to the health and relevance of the competition and the quality of the broadcast delivered in partnership with the Seven Network,” he said.

Mr Taylor said Kia’s sponsorship would involve cars being provided to Western Australian Football Commission development staff and seven network broadcast teams, while Optus would have its own segment dedicated to grassroots football on match days.

“The Kia partnership will feature benefits that extend from junior football through to the WAFL, including branding across community football, vehicles for WAFC development staff, and supporting the Seven Network’s television coverage of the WAFL,” Taylor said. “Having a major partner that rewards grassroots volunteers, supports the broadcast of the WAFL competition and holds the naming rights to the new stadium is a terrific fit for WA football.”

WAFL preseason games

Round 2 of the WAFL preseason was run and won, with some surprise results potentially earmarking a rise of cellar dwelling teams from the 2017 season.

An accurate Perth delivered a promising result, with the Demons overcoming a youthful Tigers outfit 10.2 (62) to 7.11 (53). The Royals were no match for the Bulldogs, with the South Fremantle side winning 15.7 (97) to 6.3 (39) at Leederville Oval. Fremantle Dockers affiliate Peel Thunder came into Saturday’s game loaded with AFL talent, and the Mandurah side proved too much for Subiaco in last years’ grand final rematch. The Thunder 14.8 (92) defeated the Lions 6.7 (43) at Rushton Park. While in the final game of the weekend, West Perth made light work of East Fremantle, with the Falcons running out 14.12 (96) to 6.8 (44) winners.