The West Australian Football Commission has appointed experienced football administrator Gary Walton as its Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Walton brings to the position more than 20 years experience in senior finance and football roles. For the past 10 years he has held senior roles at the Fremantle Football Club, including the past eight as Chief Operating Officer

WAFC Chairman Frank Cooper said Mr Walton’s extensive financial skills, combined with his football experience, made him the ideal candidate to take on the leadership of the game in Western Australia.

“Football in Western Australia is entering a critical period and Gary is well placed to capitalise on the opportunities and deal with challenges we face over the coming years,” Mr Cooper said.

THE West Australian Football Commission has signed a new three-year deal with Burley as the officially endorsed supplier of footballs to all WA competitions.

The partnership will see Burley footballs used for the first time across all competitions including the West Australian Football League, WA Country Football League, WA Amateur Football League, WA Women’s Football League, AFL Masters WA, all junior competitions and by WAFC District Development staff.

WEST Australian Football Commission Director of Pathways and Competitions Grant Dorrington has been honoured with a Medal (OAM) Of The Order Of Australia for his services to football and road safety in WA.

Mr Dorrington received his OAM In The General Division 179 for service to the community through contributions to road safety, and to the management and development of the Australian Football League in Western Australia.

He has been a WAFC Director since 1989, overseeing the West Australian Football League and game development of which the league is part.

THE West Australian Football Commission welcomes today’s announcement by the State Government outlining the progress of plans for a new major stadium at Burswood.

WAFC Chief Executive Wayne Bradshaw said it was exciting to see the project advancing to the next phase following the State Government’s commitment earlier this year to the construction of a new major stadium for Perth.

“This is another positive step towards meeting the needs of the hundreds of thousands of participants, club members and fans involved with football in WA,” Mr Bradshaw said.

The results of the elections for Commissioners of the West Australian Football Commission were endorsed by the Nominee Members of the WAFC (AFL and WAFL Clubs) at a meeting last night Tuesday, 29 November 2011.