This must be a record mention of the word "Community" in a press release, even for WSW, and you thought I was taking the mickey in my above post!
Today the Wanderers launched their inaugural season in true community style with a three phased event in the heart of Parramatta. The event kicked off in Church Street Mall at lunchtime, before moving to Prince Alfred Park where all three of the Wanderers Youth, Women's and A-League squads were presented to fans as a Club for the very first time.
The event then moved to Riverside Theatre where Wanderers Executive Chairman, Lyall Gorman and FFA Chairman, Mr Frank Lowy welcomed and paid tribute to the work done by so many to make this Club a reality on the eve of their first ever A-League match.
"Today we’ve have had a wonderful day meeting fans and the community in Church Street Mall and Prince Alfred Park. It was important to us that we celebrate this event with our community in the public domain and that we indeed always deliver on our promise to be raw and real." Mr Gorman said.
"Tony Popovic, the players and our fantastic Community engagement team have been immersing themselves in the Community and have reached over 100,000 people at 55 events across Western Sydney, which has translated into membership sales and huge interest in the Wanderers.
Since the birth of the Wanderers just four months ago, nearly 3,000 Members have come on board, and we have over 100 School Ambassadors and nearly 70 wonderful volunteers join our respective programs"
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC also announced a five-member independent Board of Directors to guide the club in its inaugural season in the Hyundai A-League. Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman will be joined by four prominent people drawn with a diverse range of business skills. The four new directors are;
Benjamin Chow – a leader of the Australian Chinese community with extensive business, community and political links
Warren Mundine – a high-profile advocate of Indigenous employment with a long career in corporate, community and political affairs
Paul Lederer – a prominent businessman with major manufacturing interests in western Sydney
Elliott Rusanow – a senior corporate finance executive
Mr Gorman said the establishment of the independent Board was another significant step for the Wanderers.
“When FFA made the decision to retain ownership of the Wanderers during the start up phase, the establishment of an independent Board became a top priority,” said Gorman.
“We have carefully assembled a group of Directors with vast experience in business, finance, community and political affairs. I’m humbled to have such high-calibre people make themselves available to serve in these honorary positions for the good of football, western Sydney and the Wanderers.”
The constitution of the Western Sydney Wanderers FC also allows for two member-elected directors to join the Board.
Mr Gorman also announced the development of a new training and administrative facility at Blacktown.
"Our new premises are underway at Blacktown International Sports Park and we are super excited about this move, which will give us strong representation in the West, with a physical presence in Parramatta, Campbelltown through our Westfield Women’s League team, Blacktown and St Marys through our National Youth League team.."
Plenty of tickets remain for tomorrow night's match against the Central Coast Mariners.
