2024 State Facility Report: Football West seeks investment after statewide audit
Football West’s commitment to improving facilities for our clubs and associations continues with the second State Facility Report.
The report comes on the back of a comprehensive statewide facilities audit carried out by Football West over the past 12 months.
With a major increase in interest in football following the success of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and record player registrations this year, the requirement for fit-for-purpose venues has never been greater.
READ THE STATE FACILITY REPORT HERE
Official figures show football to be Australia’s most popular team sport. In 2024, there has been a 17% participation growth in WA and a 30% increase in female participation.
While there have been upgrades to some facilities, the report concludes that a lot more investment is required.
Findings include:
- 58% of facilities in WA do not have female-friendly changerooms
- 52% do not have female-friendly match official rooms
- 54% do not have adequate shower facilities
- 27% do not have any lighting
- 44% do not have adequate lighting
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell says there are “significant gaps in the quality of facilities needed to meet stakeholder expectations”.
“The importance of having adequate facilities for our community is crucial to support the development and growth of football and provide a good environment for our participants,” he said.
“The huge health, social and economic benefits from people playing sport are well documented and football in WA plays a big role in this."
The State Facility Report aligns with Football West’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026 and Football Australia’s One Football Strategy.