Belated tick for the Hall of Fame

The immediate future of the WA Football Hall of Fame dinner has been guaranteed, with the event to go ahead next month in spite of budgetary constraints.

Growing doubts had surrounded the function, which has traditionally been held in March and was due to return to the State’s football calendar in 2015 after last year’s hiatus.

ButThe West Australian can confirm the 11th induction of the Hall of Fame, which was started in 2004, will now be held at Fraser’s State Reception Centre in Kings Park on July 15.

The WA Football Commission agreed to the change of venue to help slash expenses after previously holding the event at Crown Perth’s Grand Ballroom.

The dinner has cost more than $150,000 to run in past years and included a guest list of up to 600 people.

It is believed a move to recognise the newest Hall of Fame inductees during the Sandover Medal function rather than as a separate event had been originally floated.

A WAFC spokesman said the event would once again honour players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives who had made a significant contribution to the State game.

The commission last year chose to scale back the annual Hall of Fame celebration to a biennial event, citing a need to maintain the “standard of excellence”. A total of 153 of WA football’s greats have so far been inducted.

Inductee and three-times Sandover Medallist Barry Cable said the Hall of Fame needed to return as an annual event. “It certainly should be made a priority,” he said.

The WAFC has faced significant financial challenges over the past 12 months, cutting eight jobs in November last year to help save costs.

But the State’s leading football authority has also has some significant wins, including signing Domain as the naming-rights holder for Subiaco Oval for three years and getting fast food giant McDonald’s on board as the WAFL’s major sponsor.

WAFL council of presidents’ chairman Brett Raponi said the Hall of Fame dinner was the best night on the WA football calendar.

“Events like this actually enhance the relevance, importance, tradition and status of the WAFL,” Raponi said. “It brings everyone connected from the WAFL and two local AFL clubs together on an equal footing in a most prestigious setting.”