Fremantle president Dale Alcock confirmed on Saturday the appointment of Edith Cowan University professor Colleen Hayward AM to the board of the Fremantle Football Club.
A Fremantle member since 2004, professor Hayward is a senior Noongar woman with extensive family links throughout WA’s South-West.
Since 2009, she has been the head of Kurongkurl Katitjin; ECU’s Centre for Indigenous Education and Research and concurrently holds the position of pro-vice-chancellor (Equity and Indigenous) across the university.
For more than 30 years, professor Hayward has provided significant input to policies and programs on a wide range of issues, reflecting the needs of minority groups at community, state and national levels.
She has a wealth of previous board experience and an extensive background in a range of areas including health, education, leadership and governance.
Professor Hayward’s formal qualifications include a Diploma of Teaching, a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aboriginal Community Management and Development and a Post Graduate Certificate in Cross Sector Partnerships from Cambridge University.
In 2012, professor Hayward was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame and recognised as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
She was made a Western Australian Ambassador for Children and Young People in 2012 as well as being named as one of WA’s 100 most influential West Australians in both 2015 and 2016.
As a proud Fremantle supporter and member, professor Hayward said she was “privileged to be involved with the club as a whole and as part of the board specifically”.
“My father, grandfather and countless other relatives played for South Fremantle in the WAFL so there has only ever been one choice for me in terms of the AFL – it had to be Fremantle,” professor Hayward said.
“I am impressed with the culture of the club, the care it takes in player management and its links with its fan-base.
“I am a Noongar, so seeing Aboriginal involvement at all levels of the game from supporters to players to Dr Richard Walley OAM as our number one ticket-holder is particularly inspiring.
“Like other board members, I bring passion and commitment as well as board and life experience, together with a different cultural lens through which to consider our deliberations.
“Above all, I am excited to be able to serve.’’
Alcock said professor Hayward, who will become Fremantle’s third current female board member alongside fellow director’s Andrea Hall and Sue Murphy, was one of several high calibre candidates considered for the appointment.
“We are extremely delighted that Colleen has accepted the offer to come on board and contribute to the future direction of the club,” Alcock said.
"She has a well established reputation as an outstanding contributor across a wide range of areas, including education, health, training and employment, housing and law and justice.
“Colleen’s appointment adds further to the depth and diversity of our board.
“The current make-up of the board is very strong in the business, finance, risk and strategic planning areas. What Colleen will add is further depth in terms of culture and humanities.
“We also believe Colleen’s appointment is a natural progression of the club’s proud tradition of having a significant Indigenous cohort within our playing group.’’
Professor Hayward’s initial appointment is for a two-year term.
