WAFC 
THE West Australian Football Commission is delighted to announce that Life Memberships will be awarded to long-serving football identities Neale Fong, Bill Sutherland and Bob Uittenbroek.
Each will be inducted at the WAFC Life Members’ Christmas Luncheon on Monday, December 5, 2011 at Patersons Stadium.
Induction to the WAFC Life Members’ Association is regarded as the WAFC’s highest level of recognition, distinct from life membership awarded by individual football clubs and associated bodies, and is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding overall contribution to football.
WAFC Chairman Frank Cooper said he was delighted that such worthy recipients would be bestowed the prestigious honour of WAFC Life Membership in 2011.
“They have all given a lifetime of service to football and their significant impact on the game makes them thoroughly deserving of this honour,” he said.
NEALE FONG
Neale has been involved in all facets of the game for the past 44 years, including nine years as Chairman of the West Australian Football Commission, 15 years as West Coast Eagles Chaplain and two years as West Perth Football Club Director.
Neale became a WAFC Commissioner in 1999 and served until November 2010, which included nine years as Chairman. During this time he was a driving force behind the establishment of the Western Australian Football Hall of Fame and oversaw the implementation of the highly successful WA Football District Model, emphasizing the importance of grassroots football development.
His playing career included numerous Best & Fairest Awards at Club and District level, captaining the West Perth Colts in 1978 and winning the 1981, 1982 & 1983 A-Grade Association medal playing for Nollamara Amateur Football Club. He also captained the WA State Amateur team in 1984, represented the State on three occasions and played in two Sunday Football League Premierships with Wanneroo.
BILL SUTHERLAND
Bill made an amazing contribution to WA football over more than 45 years at all levels, starting in the country before graduating to Claremont and then becoming head trainer at the West Coast Eagles from their inception in 1987 until 2007.
He was an inaugural WCE Hall of Fame inductee this year and is also a life member of the club. Players would drop over to his house at all times of the day or night for treatment and more often than not would also stay for a meal.
Bill received the Jack Titus Award for services to football in 2006, the AFL Support Staff Leadership Award in 2004 and AFL Trainers Association outstanding service award in 2000. Other significant achievements have included the inaugural West Coast Eagles’ staff award in 1987 and being selected as trainer of the Australian International Rules team in 2004 and 2005.
Bill also served as head trainer of the Central Wheatbelt Football Association from 1964-75 and head trainer of the Dowerin Football Club and Mortlock Football Association in 1976 and 1977 before serving at Claremont from 1978 to 1986.
BOB UITTENBROEK
Bob is an East Fremantle Football Club and West Australian Football League Life Member, having been involved with both for around 40 years as an employee and a volunteer. He has served on countless football committees and raised thousands of dollars for WAFL clubs along the way.
Bob joined East Fremantle Football Club as Secretary in 1973 and progressed to the role of General Manager in 1978, a position he held until 2005 when he retired after 32 years. Bob experienced successful years of on-field performance at EFFC including premierships in 1974, 1979, 1985, 1992, 1994 and 1998.
Bob was elected back onto the EFFC Board of Directors in 2008 and was the driving force behind the club’s hugely successful Player Recognition Day that saw many past and current players acknowledged for their contribution to the club’s heritage.
Over the past few years he has also run the WAFL Raffle, raising thousands of dollars for the WAFL clubs, and has completed his fourth season as EFFC Membership Director. In addition to this, Bob also assists the Gosnells Football Club on a regular basis.
