by Dutchy » Wed Jun 04, 2025 6:18 pm
A bit more detail below, Alison is leading the club very well.
Dear Members,
The past few days has brought about some significant challenges no doubt, and we are navigating as best we can in some unchartered territory. However, it has reminded us what it means to be part of a strong, supportive football club – one that rallies around its people. As many of you will have seen in the statement issued by our CEO Adam May, our Senior League Coach Adam Hartlett has made the decision to take a period of leave from his coaching duties to prioritise his health and wellbeing.
As a Club, we fully support Adam in this decision. His wellbeing – and that of his family – is far more important than football, and we commend his courage in recognising the need to step back and focus on what truly matters. We all try to understand the demands and pressures that come with senior coaching, but no one really knows until they’ve sat in that Coaches Box on game day. We recognise that Adam has poured his heart and soul into this role, and he has the full backing of the Board, the playing group, and the entire West Adelaide Football Club community during this time. We remain in close contact with Adam and will continue to support him in every way possible.
In light of Adam’s leave, the Board has yesterday approved the recommendation from our CEO and our Head of Football Paul Streatfield to appoint Sam Elliot as Interim Senior Coach. Sam is the most experienced coach within our ranks and has been selected as the right choice to lead the group. His understanding of the playing group and Adam’s coaching plans plus a strong alignment with our Club’s values make him the ideal person to provide continuity, and stability, at this time for the Club. We thank Sam for stepping into this role and know he’ll have the full support of the players, staff, and members. Please get around Sam and show your support for him, and his willingness to coach showing his true commitment to Westies.
While these unforeseen changes are certainly significant, I think it’s important we also take time to reflect on the many positive results of last weekend’s games. Overall, it was a successful round, with more of our teams winning than not. Our Women’s team secured a nail biting 1-point victory, led by a peak performance by our Captain, Madi Russell, who had a great performance in her 50th game – a fantastic milestone and an inspiring effort from Madi and the team. Congratulations to the girls. We are still a chance here at finals!
In our junior ranks, we were proud to see Chad Fruend awarded Best Player in our Under 16s – an achievement that is more than outstanding and a testament to Chad’s character, dedication, and the development pathways we are building for our junior players. Our most sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Chad and in fact all of our Best Player award winners across the grades.
This weekend, we’ve got games across three ovals so where it suits you, please get along and show your support. Starting at home on Friday night for our U16 and U18. The reserves and Women’s league will be down south on Saturday, and our men take on Port Adelaide at Alberton on Sunday!
We held the 2015 Reunion last Friday night and I’m thrilled to say that the Club raised more than $15k on the night, auctioning off some incredible WAFC memorabilia specific to 2015 premiership win and the playing group. We heard from the leadership group of the day who spoke about that particular preseason, the many games leading into the finals series, the trials, and tribulations along the way. Above all they spoke about the trust and belief they had in each other, that was built from a shared goal, and accountability, an open style of communication and the non-negotiable commitment that they demonstrated at every. single. session. Mark Mickan attended and answered questions from the MC, Ben Hook, about the premiership season, and the calculated risks he took that day that paid off in spades. The courage and backing he had from that side on that day, was measured in the result itself.
It was nothing short of spine tingling to listen to.
We had past presidents and CEO’s there, also involved in conversation with the MC who shared their experiences with the crowd, and of course our many loyal supporters and sponsors who continue at every opportunity to show up and help the Club. The staff who assisted before and on the night to bring it all together, thank you. The event was a success and everyone I have spoken to have had only positive feedback to give.
I want to also take this opportunity to acknowledge the great work of our Coterie Groups and contribution that they make at West Adelaide Football Club. The Past Players & Officials helped fund the costs of the 2015 reunion dinner and in the very same week, the Westonians transferred a significant sum to the Club, thanks to their various fundraising efforts and activations. I am told that over 2,000 tickets are now sold for the $10,000 Westonians raffle, which is an extraordinary result, so good luck to all that have purchased tickets and a sincere thank you to those that actively fundraise and seek to give back to the Club that they know and love.
Around the place, you may have now seen Tayla, our new functions manager. Tayla has hit the ground running and is focusing on an upcoming Ladies Day event that has had large amounts of interest for some time that will be announced very shortly, so I look forward to seeing what she comes up with for our members to enjoy! Say hello if you get the chance, and don’t be shy if you have any ideas!
In anticipation, we have coordinated an important meeting of the minds coming up shortly to discuss the future facility and options for WAFC to facilitate some much-needed upgrades. We will determine what funding options we have in the short, medium and long term to ensure we have a pathway to becoming the destination club we are all striving for. These conversations continue to gain more momentum, and I look forward to providing more of an update on that very soon.
This Club has many layers, but we are all part of this Club. On the field and off – we remain united, especially in our support for Adam Hartlett.
Thank you, as always, for your loyalty, passion, and belief in the red and black.
Kind Regards
Alison
Alison Surjan
President, West Adelaide Football Club