Advertisement

Gloede gets the nod to represent WAFL

Gloede gets the nod to represent WAFL

Heavyweight football administrator Ric Gloede will represent the WAFL at the WA Football Commission and will seek a seat at the AFL’s State league review after being appointed the independent chairman of the WAFL’s council of presidents.

Gloede replaced West Perth president Brett Raponi this week as part of a strategic move to make the council more effective and less constrained by individual club issues.

“Ric has outstanding credentials which make him an ideal person to become independent chairman,” Raponi said.

“He has great credibility and experience and can argue on behalf of all nine WAFL clubs without his voice being considered that of one club.”

Gloede was president of South Fremantle for five years in the 1990s, was a WA football commissioner for eight years until 2009 and was on the interim board that helped establish the Fremantle Dockers.

He adds significant weight and gravitas to the council of presidents which intends to take a stronger stance on the new Perth stadium at Burswood and issues affecting all levels of WA football.

“I won’t be setting policy but I hope to be able to help create a better relationship between the WAFL and the commission and the other stakeholders,” Gloede said.

“Being able to divorce the WAFL from some individual club issues might help improve that relationship.

“There have been some tough moments in recent times, but we all need to be on the same page when it comes to things like getting the new stadium up and running.”

The council of presidents has identified club licences, sponsorships, maintaining WAFL heritage at Burswood and access to facilities at the new stadium as critical issues for the State league.

It also wants Gloede to be its representative on the nationwide review chaired by former AFL commissioner Bill Kelty that will examine the AFL’s annual $78 million spend on State leagues.

The council of presidents had always appointed a chairman from within its own ranks, but Raponi said that it had been apparent for the past year that a new model was required.

“Time is an issue with WAFL presidents invariably spending numerous hours a week on club matters,” he said.



Gloede was appointed for an initial two-year term.

Raponi said it was crucial that Gloede was allowed to express and represent the WAFL’s views to the AFL review.

The WAFC constitution refers only to a council of presidents representing the WAFL clubs and does not indicate how it should be chaired or run.