APM AS AFL OPEN NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER FOR FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW

Kate O'Brien - @hall.of.frame.image.studio - The first APM State Women’s Inclusion team

2026 marks a landmark year for WA All Abilities Football, with WAAAFA taking three State Teams to the national AFL Open in Victoria, the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Teams.

For the first time, WA will field a Women’s Inclusion Team at the national competition, joining the Men’s and Wheelchair Teams to represent Western Australia from the 11th –15th of October. In total, 40 players from 19 clubs will take to the national stage, representing their state and showcasing the talent, dedication and passion of footballers with disability.

12 of those players represent the women’s state team, from 7 different clubs, and a large portion representing the She Can Play league, WA’s first Women’s Integrated competition. The introduction of the Women’s Team represents an important step forward for inclusion football in WA, creating another pathway for players to develop their skills, build confidence and compete at a national level.

In addition to the state teams, three WA Blind players will be participating in a showcase match with other players from the Eastern States, and it will be the first time WA represents Blind Footy at a National level.

Kate O'Brien - @hall.of.frame.image.studio - All Australian, Marcus Meyer (Left) running onto the field with Fraser Kickett, the Men’s Captain (right).

The Western Australian All Abilities Football Association (WAAAFA) is proud to have APM as a partner for the fifth consecutive year, with APM holding the naming rights to the WAAAFA State Teams. This includes the APM WA AFL Inclusion Men’s and Women’s Teams and the APM WA Wheelchair Team.

APM is a global organisation committed to helping people overcome barriers, achieve their goals and participate more fully in their communities. Through its work across disability, employment, health and wellbeing, APM helps people build confidence, independence and meaningful connections.

This shared commitment to inclusion makes APM a valued partner of WAAAFA. Their support has helped create greater opportunities for our players to develop, compete and thrive, while contributing to a more inclusive sporting environment across the WA football community.

APM’s support has been particularly important in growing the national pathway for inclusion football. The opportunity for WA to field a Women’s Team for the first time in 2026, alongside the Men’s and Wheelchair Teams, is a significant milestone for the program and one that has been supported by the continued investment of APM.

“We’re incredibly grateful for APM’s support and the opportunities their partnership has helped create for our inclusion players as they continue their football journey.” said Hayden Marchetto, Executive Officer at WAAAFA.

“At WAAAFA, the goal is simple: Everyone gets to play Australia’s Game. These AFL-sanctioned competitions give players the chance to compete and connect in an environment where they feel included.”

Jim Gorman - @jamesgormanphotography1 - Swan Districts player Alex ‘Wizard” Moshovis celebrating a goal

After five years of working alongside APM, the partnership has become about more than supporting teams to compete. It has helped create a shared experience where players, families and staff feel part of the WA football community.

Travelling and preparing together, and representing WA as one unified identity, creates a strong sense of connection, pride and belonging. Most importantly, APM’s support is felt not simply as sponsorship, but as a genuine investment in our players and their journey.

From the 11th to the 15th of October, these players will proudly represent Western Australia on the national stage — continuing to grow the pathway for All Abilities Football and demonstrating what can be achieved when players are given the opportunity to compete, connect and represent their state.

Sidney Blake-Stanbury - @from.left.field