SportWest announces appointment of Troy Kirkham as Chief Executive

SportWest has announced the appointment of Troy Kirkham - currently Executive Manager of Game Development and Community at the West Australian Football Commission - as its new Chief Executive.

Announcing the appointment, SportWest Chair, Liam Twigger added “we are very excited to be able to welcome Troy to SportWest.

“To have a candidate of the calibre of Troy stepping into the CEO role is outstanding and the Board is looking forward to working with Troy in this next era for SportWest.”

Working at the WA Football Commission for the past five years, Kirkham has led football participation, along with initiatives that have seen governance reform across community football, and more recently has overseen football’s approach to concussion management.

He is also well known throughout the Western Australia sports community, contributing to a range of committees and advisory groups that support the development of community sport, including as a member of the True Sport Advisory Group.

In 2023 he was recognised as the WA Sports Administrator of the Year at the  SportWest awards.

Looking forward to his new role, Kirkham (pictured) advised “I am genuinely excited by the opportunity to lead SportWest and look forward to connecting and working closely with all SportWest’s members to support them and the broader WA community.

“Sport plays a significant role in the community, and I look forward to working collaboratively across the industry to make a positive difference.”

Twigger added “this is an exciting time for SportWest, as we continue to evolve our services and support for members, and further build our role as the Peak Body for Sport in WA.

“The experience, qualities and respect that Troy has within the industry will allow SportWest to continue to lead the industry and provide our members with the support they need.”

True Sport Conference unites Western Australian sport
This week has also seen SportWest host its inaugural True Sport Conference at Optus Stadium.

Held on Tuesday, it brought together over 300 representatives from the Western Australian sporting industry, providing a platform for the state’s sporting Industry to share ideas, perspectives, and forged connections that will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter future in community sport.

Powered by SportWest and supported by the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the True Sport Conference focused around three compelling Streams, of Child Safeguarding; Mental Health and Wellbeing; and Sideline Behaviour.

A highlight of the conference was the launch of the True Sport website which features a wealth of educational resources designed to support state sport organisations.