WA Football director Martina Crowley has announced her campaign for a second term on the board of the state's football governing body, citing a strong sense of unfinished business and a commitment to future-proofing the code.
Driving Strategy and Governance
A managing partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Crowley joined the board in 2024 and has since taken a leadership role, chairing the finance and funding committee and playing a key part in developing a new three-year strategy for the organisation.
"I feel like I've got a lot more to offer and we've just set our strategy for the next three years," Crowley told The West Australian. "How we can future proof football, governance and the much broader impact of football are all areas I see as important."
A Competitive Board Election
This election sees four candidates vying for two available positions. Director Amber Banfield has decided not to seek a third term due to a demanding work schedule.
The other candidates in the race are:
- Danielle Cattalini, the acting director of corporate services at the City of South Perth.
- Melanie Fisher, a psychologist working in the aviation industry.
- Claire O'Donnell, a private investigator.
A secret ballot will follow a postal vote, with the successful candidates announced at a WA Football forum on December 4.
A Vision for State-Wide Football
Crowley emphasised the broad role of WA Football, which acts as a caretaker for the sport across the entire state, not just in metropolitan areas.
"It's also the rural and remote areas, where football is a really important part of the community," she said. Her focus is firmly on equity and access, ensuring the game is relevant and accessible to all, regardless of location, socio-economic background, or ethnicity.
She highlighted the impressive growth in female participation, with almost 20 per cent of the 90,000 registered players now being women, a number that continues to grow annually.
Her personal connection to football runs deep, with her son having played from a young age through to Claremont, and her daughter recently registering at Wembley. "It's all-encompassing, isn't it?" she remarked.
Navigating Challenges Ahead
WA Football faces a critical period, with ongoing discussions with the State Government over funding as the 10-year anniversary of the code's move to Optus Stadium approaches. Compounding this, AFL royalties have seen a decline.
The organisation is also implementing changes to WAFL zoning and is set to unveil its new three-year strategy in 2026, with a core focus on achieving sustainable growth for the sport.
Crowley remains hopeful for re-election, believing her professional expertise in finance, risk, and governance, combined with her passion for community football, positions her to make a significant contribution during this pivotal time.
