State of game to come under microscope

A review of football in the Kimberley is set to be undertaken by leading authorities in the sport.

Australian Football League, Western Australian Football Commission and Kimberley Football Association representatives will collaborate with an independent consultant to see how the sport in the region can be improved.

In 2009, a future directions document named Gravel to Greatness was developed to provide a blueprint for the sport to follow in the future, and will now be reviewed retrospectively.

"The Gravel to Greatness blueprint helped bring football in the Kimberley under the one umbrella and resulted in significant improvement in the way we manage football across the region," KFA chairman Michael Albert said.

"However, all parties agree that after five years it is time to review what progress we have made and reset our direction for the next five to 10 years."

A steering committee has been set up to manage the review process and includes key staff from the AFL, WAFC, KFA and Garnduwa.

Former Kimberley resident Alan Beattie has been appointed as the independent consultant to oversee the review and will meet with stakeholders across the region from March 9 to 19.

He welcomed written submissions up until the end of this month to help guide the process.

"We are seeking as much input as we can, as all parties want to see footy numbers in the Kimberley grow and more players go onto the elite level," Beattie said.

"I encourage all people with an interest in the future of football in the Kimberley to contact me and obtain a copy of the terms of reference for the review and provide a written submission.

"The review is critical to the future of our game and we are very aware of the current need to support the footy associations and clubs."

Interested parties can contact Alan Beattie at abeatt13@outlook.com or on 0426 105 351.