LION FOUNDATION

Late in 2019 the board discussed the desire to engage more with our community through football and non-football initiatives. It’s not lost on us the valuable contribution sport provides to the public so through leading, empowering and inspiring, together we planned to make a positive impact in the WA community. From this the Lion Foundation was officially launched in August 2020. Named after our beloved Leo and with the community at its heart, as you see in the logo, the Foundation will focus on delivering positive outcomes by running community-based programs. Our network of partners and volunteers will deliver programs throughout Western Australia that include sports, education and the arts. By running these programs, we are able to help participants gain access to opportunities they may not have had otherwise.

Subiaco Football Club is renowned for its strong leadership and inclusive culture, and we want to share the experience our senior players have with the next generation of players and community leaders. The Lion Foundations focus will be – Women & Girls, Multicultural & Indigenous Engagement, Disabilities & Inclusion, Mental Health plus Drug & Alcohol addiction.

Our players and their development are key to the not only the Foundation but the Clubs ongoing success. We will provide employment and education opportunities, life skill sessions on finances, tax, insurance etc and networking opportunities through business relationships and speaking engagements. Our Board is made up of varying backgrounds and experience all working together with the same shared passion for our community and club. Chairing the Foundation is our club’s Director of Community Kristi Annear. Kristi has four years’ experience on WAFL boards with Subiaco being her second club in that period. She currently manages HBF’s Community Program which each year supports local WA charities and engages HBF employees. Kristi has been integral in setting up the club’s mental health program, Outside The Locker Room in WA and spent three years on Ronald McDonald House’s young professionals committee. She has a wealth of knowledge in the community space and is an avid supporter of football. Professor Hugh Dawkins is the Foundations Chief Health Advisor. He comes to us with over 40 years’ experience in the health industry and holds concurrent appointments of: Professor, School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame Australia; and A/Professor, Division of Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia. Hugh’s passion is precision health and genomic technology and believes in the benefits that sport provides to the whole community. Fiona White-Hartig is the Business Development Director at the club and is also the Founder & Managing Director of Global Roaming Pilbara Foundation. GRPF brings a unique approach to developing young people with one goal - to give every young person the opportunity to reach their full potential regardless of location, gender or race. Fiona has over 20 years’ experience in local, state and federal government and is on the board of many indigenous organisations in WA. Fiona is the Chairperson of RDA Pilbara and is extremely passionate about our community and the club’s future. Paul Johnson is an experienced business leader, having built a large electrical contracting business which he recently sold to a publicly listed company. Paul is passionate about business improvement and is now dedicated to helping business leaders implement industry leading systems and processes in their organisation. Paul joined the board with a passion to contribute to the Lion Foundation’s vision to Lead, Inspire and Empower. Russell Smith is the clubs Vice President and has been part of the Subiaco fabric for almost 15 years. He is the Founder & Principal Consultant of CSG Marketing and is vital in driving the club and foundations strategic planning. Russell brings innovative, thought driven ideas to the board and is managing our online presence. Our inaugural partners are Global Roaming Pilbara Foundation and Outside the Locker Room. We acknowledge the support of CSG Marketing who have been vital in developing the vision for the Foundation, setting up our website and the design of our logo. Club sponsor Pragma Lawyers managed the legal registration of the Foundation and continues to provide support. Eleanor Scott, Partner at Holding Redlich Queensland is managing our application for charity status on a pro bono basis, this should be achieved by Christmas this year. Without the support of businesses like these the Lion Foundation wouldn’t be in the significantly advanced position it is. In a season where early on football took a back seat and our future community commitment became a focus, we believe the club is perfectly placed to make a significant contribution to Western Australia and our players in 2021. Combining this and the hunger the players have for further success the Subiaco Football Club will once again set the precedence in the WAFL for leadership and excellence.