WA Sports Federation is holding the first General Meeting of Council 2009 on 31 March 2009 at 5.45 pm at Cambridge Bowling and Recreational Club.  This will be an opportunity for Members to be updated about key items in the sport and recreation industry, raise any additional topics and network with Members. 

For more information or to register your attendence please contact WA Sports Federation: 9387 8100 or email.

WA Sports Federation Board

WA Sports Federation would like to thank Kay Lane, Gary Malarkey and Linda Hamersley for their contribution to the WASF Board.

Kay Lane has retired from the Board after 12 years of committed service.  Kay has always been an active Board Member and contributed significantly to the sport and recreation industry.  During her time on the Board, Kay has attended and contributed to many functions, meetings and presentations representing WA Sports Federation.  The picture to the left shows Kay receiving an appreciation Award from Mike Allenby, Chairman, at the recent ANZ Sports Star Awards. 

Gary Malarkey joined the Board in April 2007 and also served on its Remuneration and Audit Committee.  Gary recently resigned due to a change in employment that limited his capacity to fulfil his role on the Board.

Linda Hamersley has stepped down from the Board prior to her upcoming move to Belgium.  Linda has been involved on the Board since March 2008 and has offered a broad outlook drawing upon her varied career within the industry including working with Motor Sport, the Rugby World Cup and more recently CEO of Hockey WA since 2004.  We wish Linda all the best in her future.

We would also like to welcome two new Board Members - Mike Wood and Clover Maitland.  Both Mike and Clover bring a range of skills and individual attributes to the Federation.  Read more about Mike and Clover.

Nine diverse sport and recreation organisations have agreed to participate in the pilot stage of the Financial Management Support Project, a partnership between the Department of Sport and Recreation and WA Sports Federation.  The pilot stage will continue until July 2009, at which point there will be a review of the project's potential and it's main areas of focus.  This will be based upon feedback from the pilot organisations and assessment by the project reference group.  

The pilot organisations will be assisted in undertaking their financial management including training, as required, in areas such as accounts processing, financial compliance, reporting and budgeting.  A proposed new financial framework for the sport and recreation industry will be tested as part of the project.

The project will be opened to other interested organisations towards the end of 2009.  Further information can be requested through WA Sports Federation on 9387 8100 or info@wasportsfed.asn.au.

With representation on the Board of FutureNow, WA Sports Federation has and will continue to represent the sport and recreation industry and their education and training requirements.  FutureNow's coverage has expanded to include the hospitality and tourism, printing, information and telecommunications industries.  The synergies between these industry sectors are well documented and fall into the globally accepted definitions of the creative and leisure industries.

Following State Training Board recognition, the new industry training advisory arrangements came into effect on Monday 2 February 2009 with the commencement of FutureNow's newly incorporated name, Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council Inc underpinned by a new set of Rules of Association and new service agreements with the Department of Education and Training.

In keeping with the new coverage, the Board has changed to reflect the new industries. The Chairman is John Welborn, Rugby WA Board member and Managing Director of Prairie Downs Metals Ltd. Barry Felstead, CEO of Burswood Entertainment Complex is the Deputy Chairman. The new and continuing Board members are all highly credentialed industry leaders who have committed themselves to providing the strategic leadership necessary to effect workforce development change within and across their industries. The incoming Board has agreed to continue with the business name FutureNow - Learning for Life which will continue to be the public brand of the organisation.

For more information see www.futurenow.org.au

...for the sport and recreation industry.

Through consultation with WA Sports Federation Members, it has been identified that a media workshop would be useful for the industry to gain greater media exposure.  The initial target are organisations that have employees.  Consequently, WA Sports Federation, supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, has organised a FREE media workshop.

Who should attend?  If you are involved in the sport and recreation industry and would like to develop your knowledge in any of the following areas, this workshop is for you:

• How to work with the media effectively
• Getting your stories run - ingredients for a good story
• How to deliver concise, convincing messages
• Developing relationships with the media
• Sharing examples of good practice with other sport and recreation organisations.

Click here to view the workshop flyer.

Date: 9 April  Time:  9 - 11.30 am  Venue: Department of Sport and Recreation

For more information or to register your attendance contact Helen Cunningham on 9387 8100 or helencunningham@wasportsfed.asn.au

The new Play by the Rules website http://www.playbytherules.net.au has been developed to support the sport and recreation industry create inclusive, safe and fair environments. 

WA Sports Federation, Department of Sport and Recreation and the Equal Opportunities Commission are all involved in the Play by the Rules National Reference Group which has provided the opportunity to raise and discuss issues and recommendations from WA.

The new website includes the following information:

• Got an issue?
• Managing Risks
• About Complaints
• Legal Stuff
• Online Training
• Resources

For more information about Play by the Rules visit www.playbytherules.net.au

Member Protection Information Officer Training

A revised Member Protection Information Officer Course will be delivered during April and May 2009.

WA Sports Federation is working with the Department of Sport and Recreation and Australian Sports Commission to provide members of sport and recreation organisations with an opportunity to increase their understanding of harassment and discrimination in sport and recreation and to learn practical skills to take on a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) role.

For full course details please see the flyer

New Appointments in the Industry

Badminton WA - Congratulations to Nick Kidd, who has been appointed as the Executive Officer at Badminton WA.  Nick has been involved in the sport of Badminton as both a professional athlete and sports administrator.  Click here to read more information.

Department of Sport and Recreation - Tim Mahon has recently commenced with the Department of Sport and Recreation as the Manager of Regional Services.  For more information about sport and recreation in regional WA see www.dsr.wa.gov.au/

Masters Swimming WA - Welcome to Ivan Martinovich who has been appointed as the new President of Masters Swimming WA replacing longstanding President Jack Busch.  As a long time member and office holder of Melville AUSSI, Ivan brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Wheelchair Sports WA Association - Welcome to Teri O'Toole who has started her role as CEO at Wheelchair Sports WA Association.  For more information see www.wheelchairsportswa.org.au

If you would like to introduce new appointments to the industry feel free to let WA Sports Federation know for the inclusion in future eNewsletters.  Email the information to helencunningham@wasportsfed.asn.au

Sport Sponsorship over $5,000

What could your organisation do with $5,000?

The next closing date for applications for Sport Sponsorship over $5,000 is 31 March 2009 for projects commencing in August, September, October or November.

See www.healthway.wa.gov.au for more information.

2009 Perth International Bowls Tournament

Sixteen of the world's best lawn bowlers will be in action at Mosman Park Bowling Club next week as part of the Perth International Bowls Tournament.

Players from Australia, England, Malaysia and Scotland will participate in the tournament which serves as a warm up to the 2012 World Championships taking place later this year.

The event starts on Monday 2 March and runs until Sunday 8 March.  For more information see www.mosmanparkbowlingclub.com.au/