Irishwoman Martina Crowley set to join West Australian Football Commission
Irish Aussie rules convert and PwC senior partner Martina Crowley has become the frontrunner to gain the last vacant position on the West Australian Football Commission reports MARK DUFFIELD.
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Martina Crowley calls herself a “football agnostic”.
It means that in the Australian rules hotbed that is Western Australia, where support for one or the other AFL teams in the state can take on religious levels, she is equally happy watching West Coast or Fremantle.
It also adds to Crowley’s appeal as a candidate for the West Australian Football Commission where the two AFL clubs closely watch the numbers of blue and gold versus purple board members to avoid finding themselves with the numbers stacked against them.
Crowley, an Aussie rules convert who fell in love with the game after moving to Australia from County Cork in Ireland 27 years ago, has become a frontrunner for one of four WAFC positions up for grabs with a fresh board to be announced in early December.
Industry sources this week said the smart money was on incumbents Dixie Marshall, Phil Lamb and Ian Callahan being returned for fresh terms. Which leaves former Eagle and East Fremantle star Andrew Lockyer, community football stalwart and businessman Phil Warren and Crowley battling for one spot to replace outgoing commissioner Brian O’Donnell.
O’Donnell’s financial background was the strength he brought to the commission. Crowley, a senior partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, would bring a similar skillset.
It is one of the things that is expected to give Crowley an edge when WA football stakeholders vote. She would also balance the commission at four men and four women, thus achieving WAFC’s gender equality goals.
Crowley acknowledges her main interest lies with community and grassroots football.
“I have had a really big interest in footy since I arrived in Australia 27 years ago,” she said.
“My son Joe has played at various clubs over the years. I attend a lot of his games.
“I have come from an Irish background where the Gaelic Athletic Association was really strong and when I came to Australia the logical thing for me was Aussie rules.”
As a youngster in County Cork, Crowley played Camogie, the female variant of Hurling and it gave her a strong feel for the importance of sport in the development of young people.
“My family interest in footy stems from the community aspect of it and what it gives to people – the importance of it to kids as they are growing up – kids of all different backgrounds,” she said. ‘I think it is fantastic for getting people together and it is very much a family thing for us.
“Joe played for Claremont (juniors) through years seven, eight and nine and he played at Scotch College when they won the Alcock Cup.”
Asked where her football allegiances lay she replied: “I am going to remain independent of that. What I can offer are my skills in running a pretty large business and my finance background – which is what is needed.”
“I think I can add some value and give something back to a sport that has given a lot. I won’t be able to get out on the pitch and kick a footy,” she continued.
“We are a household where when the footy is over at the end of September we all go oh no, the footy is gone.”
Crowley said the women’s game would be a strong focus for her if elected.
“Female footy – and what is happening with that surge, I think there will need to be a fair bit of consideration given to how we manage that,” she said. “Do we have enough ovals? Lighting, stuff like that so people can train – there is a lot to be done to make sure women’s footy is given the support with the surge that is happening.”
“It is fantastic but we need to make sure we are supporting facilities. Things like change rooms. There is a lot to be thought through and what I am bringing are my skills in finance.”
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Originally published as Irishwoman Martina Crowley set to join West Australian Football Commission
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