Crockett joins Football West

Football West has recruited former state government trade commissioner Stuart Crockett to drive the organisation’s Asian engagement strategy.

Based in Shanghai, where Football West has an agreement with the Shanghai Football Club, Mr Crockett as strategic counsel will be responsible for managing all Western Australia’s football (soccer)-related nternational trade, investment, and cultural exchange activities with China.

It follows the appointment of two directors last month: former iiNet chief executive David Buckingham and Horizon Power director Ivy Chen.

Mr Crockett says Football West’s efforts to expand its international engagement will bring cultural and economic benefits to the state.

“Everybody knows how big football is in Asia and that is something we in WA can use to build really strong relations,” he said in a statement.

“We are in a fantastic position geographically – same time zone, great airlines, great facilities.

“We have around 250,000 people playing football, which means great community engagement.”

Mr Crockett, who is strategic counsel to West Perth-based consultancy CGM Communications, said the opening of the State Football Centre at Queens Park, which would host matches during the Women’s World Cup in 2023, would be significant to the sport.

“That brings in the tourism teams, exchange visits, the swapping of ideas … there are obvious economic benefits for all of football in WA,” he said.

“And people in Asia are interested in why Australia does so well and punches above its weight in sport.”