New WAFC boss backs AFL reserves

New West Australian Football Commission chief executive Gary Walton wants WA’s two AFL clubs to have designated reserves teams playing against WAFL teams by next year.

Walton, who has spent the last eight years as Fremantle’s chief operating officer and narrowly missed the club’s CEO position, pipped by Steve Rosich, was announced as Wayne Bradshaw’s successor this morning and said “the sooner the better” when asked about the most contentious short-term issue facing WA football.

The key was not whether to do it, but to do it in the right way for all of WA football, he said.

“It is one of the biggest issues in WA footy,” Walton said. “I think there is an understanding or an acknowledgement that the AFL clubs believe that for them to continue their competitiveness or be successful they need to have their players together – the welfare of their players is very important.

"The footy Commission together with representatives of the WAFL clubs and the AFL clubs have now got to work through the process of how we can make a competition happen where the two AFL clubs have their players playing in the one side.

“It is a big issue and it needs to be worked through. It is being worked through and the footy commission should be the one that is driving that.”

He said the issue about whether Fremantle and West Coast had teams playing in the WAFL had to be about much more than price.

“I would hope it is more than financial. Finance or the price or the cost should be just one component of the overall picture here and I hope that is the case,” he said.

“The acknowledgement that the AFL sides need this to be competitive and to be successful – I share that acknowledgement and I think we need to work through the process.”

“At the end of the day though we have got to get an outcome that is right for WA footy and in the best interests of WA footy and just not one component of WA footy.”

Asked if he believed it could be done by 2013 he said: “I think the sooner the better. That is the date that we are driving towards. That is the date that has always been put forward in the last six months anyway so I think the answer to that is yes.”

WAFC chief executive Frank Cooper said the commission was confident it had found the right candidate for the job, with Walton’s main tasks likely to be sorting through the reserves team issue and helping to drive the WAFC’s side of the process towards a new stadium.

“This appointment is one of the most important decisions that this commission will make and we are delighted that we have got somebody of Gary’s calibre and experience,” he said.

“Football in WA is in wonderful shape at the moment but we need to have resources in place and in particular the leadership to continue to build on that success into the future. We are absolutely confident that Gary is the right man to do that for us.”

One of Walton's key roles will be the manage WA football's negotiations with the State Government over a new super stadium to accommodate Fremantle and West Coast matches.

Walton said he was excited to be taking up the position, given his passionate support for football in Western Australia.

“The game must be given every opportunity to continue to flourish through the junior, country, amateur and professional leagues and I will be doing everything I can to guarantee the long-term health of football in this state.

Mr Walton has a business degree from Curtin University, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and has completed an Advanced Management Programme at the French business school INSEAD.

Before joining Fremantle as Chief Financial Officer in 2002 he held a number of finance roles in listed and private companies.

In addition to his 10 years at the Fremantle Football Club, Mr Walton has had a 20 year involvement with the then East Victoria Park Junior Football Club.

Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said today that the WAFC had appointed an outstanding candidate.

“Gary possesses the personal and professional attributes to perform at the highest level in what is an very important role for WA football,” Rosich said.

“We are also very pleased that the WAFC has selected such a capable individual with extensive experience in the industry.”