Football West welcomes three new Life Members
Football West News
Football West is delighted to welcome its three newest Life Members.
Nick Tana, Eddie Lennie OAM and Phil Kelly were admitted to Life Membership at Wednesday night’s Annual General Meeting.
Football West Chairman Sherif Andrawes paid tribute to the three for their contribution to the local game.
“It is always exciting for us to welcome new Life Members and the calibre of the three candidates for 2023 was again exceptional,” he said.
“Nick is a giant in WA football, a key figure in the starting up of Perth Glory in the new professional era of the game in WA. Our paths cross regularly through his work with the Football Futures Foundation charitable organisation and his drive for excellence is an example for all.
“Eddie is the benchmark for WA match officials. A World Cup, an Olympic Games, Australian referee of the year three times … he is out on his own for his achievements. And it is to his credit that he has always been willing to pass on his experiences to the next generation of referees coming through.
“Phil is a real grassroots football person and people like him are vital if we are to have a thriving game. He puts in the time to represent the interests of his club, the league and the game in general and it should not go unnoticed.”
The new Life Members
NICK TANA
Nick has provided substantial service to the game of football over an extended period of time.
His service has been both at grassroots level, where he has served as a referee and as a committee member, coach and sponsor, and at a national level with his significant role in establishing and owning Perth Glory FC.
Nick played a significant role at Soccer Administration of WA, influencing the restructuring of the game in WA, and is the inaugural Chair of the Football Futures Foundation, the charitable organisation working with Football West.
Nick’s contribution to football in WA through his role at Perth Glory was exceptional, given the massive exposure national league football brings to WA. He also established Future Glory FC to assist identify and nurture young WA footballers.
EDDIE LENNIE OAM
Eddie has provided considerable service to football though his 47-year career as both a match referee and his many roles in support of referees subsequent to hanging up his whistle.
His support for match officials over the past 22 years has been provided by way of Committee Member, Commissioner of Recruitment and Retention, Chair of WA Referees Committee, DSR Panel Member, Law Lecturer, Inspector, FIFA Instructor and Coach, FFA Technical Committee Member, AFC Instructor/Assessor and FA Elite Coach.
Eddie’s achievements include WA Referee of the year five times; Australian Referee of the year three times, Order of Australia Medal (OAM), Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Centenary Medal and FFA Hall of Fame inductee.
He also officiated at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and the 1996 Olympic Games in the US.
PHIL KELLY
Phil has provided extensive service to the football community in Perth as an administrator and leader over many years.
He is respected by his peers for relentlessly pursuing what he believes is in the best interest of the Men’s State League, the clubs, and the sport overall.
Beyond serving his club, Ashfield SC, he has served on the State League Standing Committee at Football West for 13 years, including the past eight years as Deputy Chair or Chair.
He was a contributor to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Review and Project Reference Group.
Phil advocates passionately for the game via his regular media appearances. He also remains involved in coaching at club level.