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WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program | Nominations Open
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Volunteers across Western Australia’s sporting community will be recognised through the new WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program.
The program celebrates the vital role volunteers play in keeping community sport thriving across the State.
Around 320,000 Western Australians volunteered in sport over the past year, supporting local clubs, coaching junior teams, organising competitions and helping bring communities together.
Supported by a $294,000 investment from the WA Government and delivered in partnership with SportWest, Seven West Media and Spudshed, the Local Sporting Stars program will highlight the incredible contributions volunteers make to grassroots sport and encourage more people to get involved.
The program will recognise a broad range of volunteer contributions including youth leadership, inclusive participation, innovation, long-standing service and all-round support within clubs and sporting communities.
Nominations can be submitted online, with a dedicated panel selecting winners over the program.
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Photo Credit: Michael Wilson | Community Sporting Club volunteers Michelle Santoro, Bree Wagner and Stephen McGuinness.
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| Recognise your Volunteers
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Announcing the 2026 WA Women’s Hall of Fame | Sport Category Inductees!
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SportWest is delighted to celebrate two remarkable Western Australian women who have shaped their sports with passion, leadership and extraordinary achievement.
This year’s WA Women’s Hall of Fame Sport Category Inductees are:
🏅 Kate Bevilaqua – Champion triathlete and trailblazer, Kate is a 3x Ironman Champion, 7x 70.3 Champion and the first woman in history to win an Ultraman outright, finishing ahead of the entire field. A coach, mentor and global icon, Kate has inspired athletes for over 20 years.
🏅 Penny Tanner Hoath – A driving force in women’s football for four decades, Penny has excelled as a state and national player, broadcaster, archivist and advocate. Her leadership has transformed participation pathways, including a 186% rise in girls’ football at MUMFC in 2025, alongside numerous state and national honours.
This category is proudly supported by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport.
You can celebrate Kate, Penny and all 2026 Inductees at the WA Women’s Hall of Fame Photographic Exhibition, featuring stunning portraiture by Karen Wheatland and others.
📍 One The Esplanade, Elizabeth Quay
6–20 March (weekdays), 7am–6pm
📍 Yagan Tower, Yagan Square
6–15 March, daily
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25% off Selected Knock Out Matches for WA Volunteers
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We’re saying thanks to you, the amazing volunteers in WA sport, with 25% off knockout matches in Perth.
The Group Stage is done. The Knockout Stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026TM starts now. Now the tournament truly heats up. With more on the line and everything to play for, every moment matters.
First up are the Quarter-Finals, where eight teams will become four, advancing to the Semi-Finals and moving one step closer to the Final.
For the teams that fall short, the journey isn’t over. The four losing sides will head to the Gold Coast for the Play-Offs, where the winners will secure qualification for the World Cup.
Secure tickets for 25% off to the following Knock Out matches:
Quarter-Final
China PR vs Chinese Taipei
1pm AWST, Saturday 14 March
Perth Rectangular Stadium
Semi-Final
6pm AWST, Tuesday 17 March
Perth Rectangular Stadium
To redeem this offer, select your Knockout match, enter the code 25OFF, then choose the ‘Special Offer’ ticket type. Pick your seats and checkout.
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| Buy Tickets
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SportWest Connect Sessions with the Australian Sports Technologies Network
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SportWest, in partnership with the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), will deliver back‑to‑back SportWest Connect sessions next month.
Both sessions will be presented on Wednesday 25 March at Sport HQ in Floreat.
- Session 1: Digital Transformation in Sport | 9:00am – 10:00am
This session will focus on the evolving digital landscape in sport and is especially targeted to our SportWest Connect Executive Cohort.
- Session 2: AI and Sports | 10:15am – 11:15am
Following a short break, we’ll dive into how artificial intelligence is shaping sport. This session is particularly relevant to our SportWest Connect Marketing, Communication and Events group. Both sessions have been scheduled back‑to‑back to make it easy for those who are interested in attending both.
Digital Transformation in Sport – Session Information and Registration
AI and Sports – Session Information and Registration
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| Join a Connect Group
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Play Well Strategy Evaluation Survey
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Deakin University and the University of Sydney
are conducting an independent evaluation of the
Play Well Strategy, assessing its first phase's effectiveness, impact, and outcomes.
Play Well is enabled by data and evaluation. Your insights will shape its future horizons.
If you have any questions about the survey, please email playwell@ausport.gov.au. If you are having any survey access concerns, please email katherine.owen@sydney.edu.au
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| Complete the Survey Here
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Come for the rugby, stay for the memories
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Join us for the Western Force Past Player Luncheon, celebrating 20 seasons of Force legends at WA Rugby’s signature event for 2026.
Relive the glory days, share the stories, and reconnect with the rugby community.
All tickets include a complimentary ticket to the Western Force vs NSW Waratahs match on 30 May 2026, with proceeds supporting The Rugby Foundation of WA High Performance Program initiatives.
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| More Information
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Plastic Free Riverpark Grant Program
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Plastic Free Riverpark is in the final days of the current round of grant funding.
The Plastic Free Riverpark Program works with riverfront events, food and beverage businesses, sporting groups and local governments to reduce single-use packaging, particularly single-use plastic packaging, in the Swan Canning Riverpark.
Applications are encouraged ASAP to access funding of up to $10, 000 to support the adoption of reusable alternatives to single-use food and beverage packaging!
Don’t miss out! Apply today!
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| Application Form
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FEVER IS BACK! | Fever v Lightning – Game One will be electric!
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Experience the intensity of elite netball live as the Fever kick off their 2026 season.
After narrowly missing finals in 2025, the Lightning will be hungry for a strong start — setting up a blockbuster opening clash.
This is no ordinary match-up. Expect a showdown of stars as Liz Watson goes head-to-head with Fever captain Jess Anstiss, while Donnell Wallam faces defender Kadie‑Ann Dehaney in her highly anticipated return to the League.
Bring the energy, Green Army - the 2026 season is starting with a bang. 🔥
Seats are going fast, so don’t miss out.
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| Get Tickets
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SportWest AFL and NRL Tipping Competitions 2026
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Registrations are now open for SportWest’s AFL & NRL Tipping Competition — bringing the entire WA sport industry together for some friendly rivalry, bragging rights, and a bit of fun across the season.
Whether you’re backing the favourites, trusting your gut, or tipping with heart, this is your chance to show the sector your game‑day smarts.
Get involved. Get competitive. And get your tips in.
Join the AFL Tipping Competition HERE
Join the NRL Tipping Competition HERE
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Applications open for 2026-27 Volunteering WA Research Grants
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Volunteering WA has a well-established Research Grant program for projects that facilitate connections between Volunteering WA, researchers and our members. Research proposals are now open for any matter that contributes to our understanding of volunteering and how to advance the sector in Western Australia.
Past projects have explored AI adoption, family volunteering, informal volunteering, aged care volunteering, and more. How could you use this funding to learn more about the sector?
We strongly encourage interested parties to speak with Dominique Hansen, Manager Policy & Research at Volunteering WA, before submitting their application. Please get in touch via phone (08 9482 4333) or email (dominique@volunteeringwa.org.au) to set up a time to discuss your research project.
Applications close 5:00pm, Thursday 7 April 2026.
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| Learn more and Apply
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Mental Health Champions Network Workshop | Managing Stress & Burnout in Sport
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Community and high-performance sport environments are demanding. Coaches, volunteers, and leaders often operate under sustained pressure, including performance expectations, limited resources, time strain, travel, selection decisions and stakeholder scrutiny. Over time, unmanaged stress can lead to burnout, conflict, disengagement and reduced performance.
This practical workshop focuses on recognising early warning signs of stress and burnout in sporting environments and building proactive strategies to sustain performance, wellbeing and a healthy culture.
Event Details
Facilitator: Kellie Lewis - The Mental Health Project
Date: Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Venue: Multifunction Room, SportHQ | 203 Underwood Ave, Floreat
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Details: Morning tea and light refreshments included
Registration: Closes at 11:59pm, Monday 6 April 2026
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| Register Online
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