Perth Football League president Geoff Glass is keen for the competition to maintain a unifying presence across communities in the metropolitan area.
Newly appointed Perth Football League president Geoff Glass is keen for the competition to maintain a unifying presence across communities in the metropolitan area.
Appointed to the PFL board in 2021, Mr Glass – who spent time as chief executive of the City of South Perth between 2015 and 2021 – worked closely with outgoing three-term president Sam Birmingham.
“It’s an accolade and recognition with a lot of responsibility to make sure that I think that the good place the Perth Football League is currently in … that we can continue to go forward in that way,” Mr Glass told Business News.
“It’s not only myself. We’ve got a very good board, we’ve got very good staff. And I’ll look to bring my own ideas and preferences, but we’re already coming up with what I consider to be a very good base.”
The PFL has emerged as a viable not-for-profit sporting organisation over recent years.
In 2023, it posted a net surplus of $321,503 on the back of a $17,086 loss in 2022.
This result was achieved primarily due to an increase in sponsorship-based income, from $307,815 to $773,801.
While sponsorship is on the rise and the competition’s profile continues to increase due to greater radio and online-based coverage, Mr Glass said it was important the competition remained true to its grassroots-based foundations and, over time, also look at ways to provide both an avenue and opportunities for migrants to Western Australia who may not have been exposed to community-based Australian Rules Football.
“I think it gets back to the Perth Football League being as really sort of heart of the community,” he said.
“And it gets back to the old cliché of 'it’s more than a game', but that’s what the PFL provides, I think.
“It provides that opportunity for players to not only play but develop lifelong friendships, to have a sense of belonging, and even marriages.
“It provides support, friendship and belonging over many years, which is about building community.
“And I think that is not to be underestimated, as to how important that is, in our particular modern times.”
Off the field, the PFL and its clubs have championed a number of charitable causes and initiatives – including gambling harm reduction and mental health awareness.
