Football West welcomes four new Life Members

Football West is pleased to announce its newest Life Members.

Conor O’Brien, Oriano Colli, Paul Afkos and Carl Duxbury were admitted at Wednesday night’s Annual General Meeting, held at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

Football West Chair Sherif Andrawes said: “Congratulations to our new Life Members. All four have made telling contributions to the game in Western Australia over many years and are richly deserving recipients of this honour.”

MEET OUR NEW LIFE MEMBERS

Paul Afkos

Paul Akfos has been a driving force in the development of football in Western Australia and nationally for over five decades, beginning his involvement in 1973 as a club administrator and progressing to senior leadership roles across state and national football bodies. He played a pivotal role in unifying football governance in WA, lobbying successfully for the State’s inclusion in the National Soccer League, and was a founding co‑owner of Perth Glory FC. His influence extended to securing major infrastructure outcomes, including government funding for the redevelopment of East Perth Oval into today’s HBF Park, as well as long‑term sponsorship and governance of Perth Glory and its academy. Paul has received the Order of Australia Medal and the Centenary of Federation Medal. 

Oriano Colli

Oriano Colli has devoted his life to football in WA across nearly five decades as an elite player, coach, administrator and long‑term supporter of the game. Beginning as a standout junior and senior player from 1975 to 2000 with state and national representation, he transitioned into 15 years of junior coaching before assuming senior leadership roles at Bayswater City Soccer Club, including as President, guiding the club through its most successful era on and off the field. Oriano has been instrumental in expanding participation, establishing women’s and academy pathways, securing major government funding for facilities and serving for 14 years on Football West’s NPL Standing Committee.

Carl Duxbury 

Carl Duxbury has dedicated almost five decades to football in the Peel region, serving as a player, coach, administrator, founder and lifelong volunteer. Arriving from England in 1978, he has been instrumental in establishing clubs, junior pathways, and major facilities, including Pinjarra United, the Peel Junior Soccer Association and Murray District Rangers SC. His leadership, vision and hands‑on service, continuing well into his 80s, have left a legacy recognised through multiple awards and life memberships, making him one of the most influential contributors to regional football.

Conor O’Brien

Conor O’Brien has provided more than a decade of outstanding voluntary service to football in the Pilbara region, contributing across coaching, administration, governance, development, and inclusion. Since 2015, he has played a pivotal role at club and association levels with Dampier Junior Soccer Club and the Karratha Soccer Association, holding senior leadership positions while maintaining a strong on‑ground presence at competitions and events. Conor has been instrumental in referee development, representative pathways, academy coaching, girls’ football growth and the establishment of all‑abilities competitions. He has also led major governance reforms through the rewriting of the Karratha SA constitution.