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WAFL marks 200,000 attendance milestone

It’s official – more than 200,000 spectators have entered the West Australian Football League turnstile for season 2009. It is the first time since before WA became a two-team AFL state in 1995 that the WAFL has attracted such impressive attendance for a season of home and away fixtures.

To promote the achievement and recognise the fans who have contributed to the total, spectators were randomly selected at WAFL venues to receive complimentary tickets to the 2009 WAFL Grand Final.

Among the thrilled recipients was Kim Prance, who said he loved the grassroots atmosphere at the WAFL and the chance to enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the football.

“It’s also a great way to see future AFL stars coming through the ranks” Mr Prance said. “People who grew up watching and loving the WAFL are beginning to get back in touch with their clubs and I think it’s a great thing for WA footy.”

Claremont supporters Ros Oldham and Robin Challenor also received Grand Final tickets, saying they loved attending games to watch their sons’ friends play, while dedicated Perth winners Amber Russell, Kim Bassett and Adam Johnston said attending the Demons game was the highlight of their week.

“We never miss a game. We love supporting the WAFL and our club,” said Adam.

Jeff Foster and his son were also proud recipients, with Jeff saying he enjoyed the style of play in the WAFL.
“There’s no zoning or flooding which produces good old fashioned football,” he said. “It’s a great place to take the kids, it’s cheap and a good afternoon.”

Since exceeding 200,000 spectators, WAFL attendance peaked at 207,924 after the final round of fixtures on the weekend – the highest since the completion of the 1994 season when attendance totalled 241,338.

That plummeted to 160,367 when Fremantle joined the AFL the following year and did not return to above 180,000 until last season when 180,532 attended WAFL games.