FootyGoss :: All the Latest AFL and WAFL Breaking News

Eagles tilt caps to Wirrpanda

By Mr Dandalooa

The West Coast Eagles will dedicate this Sunday’s game against St Kilda to the David Wirrpanda Foundation as part of Indigenous Round celebrations.

Wirrpanda is a former West Coast Eagles player who played 227 of a possible 327 matches for the Eagles between 1996 and 2009 and is seen as a prominent role model for many Indigenous Australians.

Supported by BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), the indigenous themed round aims to promote the invaluable work of Wirra’s foundation in supporting WA’s indigenous youth, as well as raise funds to enable this work to continue.

FootyGoss understands that Wirra will attend the game at Subiaco Oval and will perform a lap of honour in the pre-game as the Eagles pay tribute to his decorated career.

West Coast said in a prepared statement that it was “delighted to have principal community partner BHP Billiton Iron Ore on board for this culturally significant match, as well as support sponsor DEEWR”.

“As match day sponsor, BHP Billiton Iron Ore has generously offered to match all funds raised by their volunteers on behalf of the David Wirrpanda Foundation at the game as part of their “Matched Giving” program,” the club said.

In an interview earlier this year, Eagles chief operating officer Richard Godfrey said renewing BHP Billiton as principal community partner was integral to the club as a business.

“A lot of these companies want to be seen putting something back into the community in which they operate, and so that’s obviously a very important strategy for them,” he said.

“But you’ve got to start to develop these relationships at a lower level I’d say.

“The main thing about sponsorship is building and keeping that relationship and ensuring that we’ve got long-term partnerships rather than those that only last for a few years, and that’s critical to who we establish our relationships with.

The Eagles have also partnered with Mortgage Gallery, where the club seeks to find new customers for the mortgage broker through its members, and offers Mortgage Gallery clients’ deals on membership and merchandise.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore president, Ian Ashby witnessed first-hand the results that can be achieved through community partnerships.

“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the positive outcomes that can be achieved by supporting the educational development of young people and providing contact with positive role models,” Ashby said.

“David and his foundation’s commitment to the Indigenous youth of Western Australia is a shining example of how to make a very real difference to peoples’ lives and we are very pleased to be able to match the contributions raised by our employees at the Indigenous Round through the BHP Billiton Matched Giving program.”

Specially designed David Wirrpanda Foundation merchandise, including a black pashmina, cap and lapel pin, will be exclusively available around the ground before the St Kilda match and at the West Coast Eagles Team Store, and the club urges all members and supporters to get behind this worthy cause and “Wear it for Wirra!”

Other activities organised for the Indigenous Round match include a welcome to country performed by West Coast indigenous liaison officer Phil Narkle pre-game, a didgeridoo performance at half-time by elder Mort Hansen and free indigenous face-painting.

The David Wirrpanda foundation exists to improve the life outcomes of Aboriginal children by promoting strong role models and healthy life choices.

In 2005, the David Wirrpanda Foundation was launched through the support of Woodside Energy Ltd as founding sponsor.

The focus is to increase the retention of indigenous students in school, and improve their life choices after leaving school by encouraging further study or entry into the workforce.

Since commencing, the Foundation has established successful programs in Perth and the Shire of Roebourne School attendance and behaviour has improved.

Mentoring by West Coast Eagles footballer David Wirrpanda, Troy Cook, Bianca Franklin, Shannon McGuire and other indigenous role models are an important part of the Foundation’s work.

The foundation has established strong links with the communities in which it operates as well as obtaining funding from sponsors and government sources.

Major sponsors of the Foundation include Rio Tinto, Pilbara Development Commission, the West Coast Eagles Supporter’s Club, Lotterywest and Commonwealth Grants.

The Foundation now plans to build on these successes by expanding its operations in Perth and throughout regional WA

The curtain-raiser this Sunday will feature two indigenous teams, the Yamatji Sharks and Nyoongar Country competing for the Stephen Michael Cup. This match will commence at 12.15pm.