Soccer Reform In Western Australia

Brief background
There are presently six state organisations involved in the management, control and delivery of soccer in Western Australia:

1. Soccer Administration of WA
2. Junior Soccer Association of WA
3. WA Amateur & Social Soccer Association
4. Soccer West Coast
5. WA Women’s Soccer Association
6. Soccer Australia Referees (WA)

Following the considerable progress achieved by those involved in the Forum, the Minister for Sport & Recreation confirmed in October 2003 his approval of an annual grant of $200 000 for soccer development from the Sport Lotteries Account, and further advised that there may be additional sponsorship available from the government agency, Healthway

Concurrently with the government’s initiatives, the Federal Minister for Arts & Sport had commissioned a review into the structure, governance and management of soccer in Australia under the chairmanship of David Crawford, and the report of the review committee was published in April 2003. It included 53 recommendations for major structural change at national and state levels, within a framework very similar to that identified by the WA Soccer Forum.

Since April 2004, the national organisation affiliated to FIFA and representing the interests of soccer in Australia, Soccer Australia Limited and its successor, Australian Soccer Association Limited (ASA), have been actively implementing the recommendations of the Crawford Report.

In Western Australia, ASA in conjunction with representatives from Soccer Administration of Western Australia (SAWA) and the state government have been accelerating the reform process, and by the 1st July 2004, the Minister in conjunction with ASA, will be launching a new organisation in Perth, West Australian Soccer Association Limited.

This new organisation will be recognised by ASA as the state member responsible through ASA’s affiliation to FIFA for the control and delivery of soccer in West Australia in all aspects of the game - men’s, women’s, juniors (boys and girls), disabled, amateurs, professionals, indoor, outdoor, outdoor, referees, coaches, officials and volunteers.

Registered participants of WASA - players, coaches, officials, volunteers etc - across the state, will enjoy the following benefits:

• Strong leadership from a new board of directors bringing a blend of skills in management, finance, marketing and soccer administration, and a desire and commitment to work in the interests of soccer in Western Australia.
• A clearly defined player pathway from Under 6 to the national Matildas and Socceroos teams.
• Access to club, regional, state and international competitions for men, women, juniors, semi-professionals etc., controlled by FIFA accredited referees.
• Access to ASA junior development programs and CD materials - Rooball, Goalkick, CD Rom for juniors etc.
• Financial support for the new national club competitions for men and women.
• Access to ASA’s nationally coordinated coach and official accreditation programs.
• High performance training through the Australian Institute of Sport.
• Access through WASA to local and state government and Australian Sports Commission development grants, and Healthway funding.
• Economies of scale and leveraging of player base resulting from one organisation looking after the game in the state - administration, staffing, national and state sponsorship etc.
• Access to national and state-coordinated sponsorship funding.
• Participation in the distribution of funds and other materials distributed by ASA through sponsorship, television rights, and ASC/NITC funding.

Membership
The new members of WASA will total twenty-three persons.

Sixteen members elected by the clubs, two from each of 8 'zones' across the state. These zones are broadly defined as:

• Metropolitan: North (currently JSA North); Central (Currently JSA Central); South (currently JSA South); and East (currently JSA East)
• Country: Southern (incorporating Peel, South West and Great Southern); Western (incorporating Mid-West and Gascoyne); Northern (incorporating Pilbara and Kimberley); Eastern (incorporating Wheatbelt and Goldfields)

Seven members will comprise the chairs of the seven proposed standing committees - women, men, juniors, Futsal, amateurs, coaches, and referees. These standing committees are made up of a minimum of six and a maximum of ten persons elected by their peer members (e.g. referees), or by their clubs (e.g. juniors). Clubs will vote through their respective zones.

The Board
For the initial period of two years until the AGM 2006, the board will consist of up to eight appointed directors:

• Three directors selected from the nine nominated by the Junior Soccer Association WA, WA Amateur & Social Soccer Association and Soccer West Coast.
• Four selected from the business community of WA and from applications that were received following the public advertisement in December 2003.
• An optional board position to be appointed by the seven directors.

From the annual general meeting in 2006, the members in general meetings will elect the directors for four-year terms, with half board elections every two years.

The board is responsible for the effective governance and management of the Association, including policy setting, strategic and risk planning, reporting on organisational performance to members, developing annual budgets, setting delegations, managing financial performance and overseeing delivery of programs and services.

The board may fill a casual vacancy on the board or on a standing committee. Any person appointed to fill a casual vacancy holds office only until the conclusion of the term of office of the person they replace.

Voting

Zone members
Western Australia will be divided into eight zones, and clubs allocated to zones based on their geographic location.

The new constitution provides that each club may nominate one person for election by all clubs within their zone to represent their zone i.e. to become an elected member of WASA. Clubs in each zone will elect two members from their zone.

Standing Committee members
Once each standing committee is formed, it will elect its chairman and this person becomes a member of WASA

Role of members
Members elected from their zones represent WASA soccer participants in general meetings such as the AGM. To receive the annual report on operational and financial performance from the directors, vote on resolutions and endorse strategic directions for the sport in Western Australia. They have powers under law to remove directors.

Role of standing committees
Standing committees perform a dual role. They provide policy advice and guidance the Board, including input on strategic direction and funding. They also support the Board and Chief Executive Officer in the implementation and delivery of programs and competitions.

The chairmen of the Standing Committees for women, juniors, Futsal, referees and coaches also become members of the equivalent national standing committees.

By-laws
The Constitution is supported through By-laws that contain a considerable amount of the detail relating to election processes and the roles of Standing Committees. These By-laws are consistent with the Constitutional and By-Laws of ASA. A copy of the proposed By-laws is currently on the Department of Sport and Recreation website

Interim arrangements

1. Interim standing committees for men, women, juniors, amateurs, Futsal, coaches and referees will be established in consultation with the existing organisations, i.e. the JSAWA and School Sport will form the first juniors standing committee.
2. Following the establishment of zones, clubs will be required to elect their zone representatives, and one representative for each standing committee as provided for in the constitution.
3. The first directors of WASA will remain as board members until the elections at the AGM in 2006.

Transfer of Operations of Current Associations to the New Body
Once members of the current associations agree to join the new body, their current operations will need to be transferred. If they decide to join on the 1st July 2004 then income incurred by them from current season affiliation fees will need to be transferred so that the new body can manage the remainder of the season’s competition. In this case, an EGM would be required to pass a resolution for the transfer of operational funds.

If members agree to join from the new season, i.e. from 1st October 2004, then full affiliation fees for that period will be paid to the new body.

Assets of the Current Associations
Members of those associations who agree to join the Western Australian Soccer Association will need to vote sometime in the future on what to do with any surplus assets. Most constitutions require that surplus assets be distributed to other bodies with like objects. Whilst there is no legal compulsion to do so, it would nonetheless make sense for members to direct these assets to the new body so that they can be used for the continued development of soccer in Western Australia.

Staff of the New Association
A Chief Executive Officer reporting to the board will run the day-to-day affairs of the Association. This appointment will be a priority for the board’s consideration and the existing general managers of the existing soccer bodies will be invited to apply for the position.

As well as the CEO, it is proposed the initial staff of the Western Australian Soccer Association will include a Marketing Officer, an Education & Development Manager, two Development officers, a Financial Officer, and three Administrative Officers. Additional casual staff will be employed during busy periods such as that leading up to the start of the season. Of course, these positions will be subject to the new board’s final determination.

Staff of the current associations who wish to be part of the new body will have the opportunity to be considered. Where members of current associations agree to become part of the new structure then any contractual obligations to current staff will have to be either paid out. If any current staff are transferred before their current contract termination date then all accrued salary and leave expense funds will have to be transferred to the new body.