The West Australian Football Commission recently announced the awarding of 5 new Life Memberships for 2008:
Ken Baxter
Terry Dean
Ric Gloede
Len Hitchen
Gerry Stokes
They will be inducted at the Life Members’ Christmas Luncheon to be held on 1 December 2008 at Subiaco Oval. Membership of the Life Members’ Association (WAFC) is WA football’s highest honour, distinct from life membership awarded by individual football clubs and associated bodies, and is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to football generally.
WAFC Chairman Dr Neale Fong said “I am delighted to welcome such worthy recipients to the hallowed ranks of WAFC Life Membership. They have all given a lifetime of service to football and their significant impact on the game makes them thoroughly deserving of this honour”.
Gerry Stokes has been involved at the grass roots level of football for over 50 years, commencing as a junior player with the Wembley Athletic Club.
Gerry has been a leader in football development in WA and has been responsible for policies and programs implemented at the grassroots level in conjunction with the Community Football Council. The following is a summary of his long career:
WA Football - Experience & Involvement
Chairperson – Community Football Council (2001 – 2007).Incorporating WA Amateur FL, Sunday FL, WA Football FL, Peel FL, Mercantile FL, WA Women’s FL, Masters Aust Football WA.
2004 School Sport Australia U 15’s Australian Football Championships - Chairperson – All Australian Team Selection Panel and Tribunal.
Tribunal Chairperson – 2002 AFL National 16’s Championships.
Board Member – Football Development Trust representing Junior Community Football (1986-2000).
Chairperson – Western Australian Regional Junior Football Board (1991‑2000).
Member – Belt Up (Smarter than Smoking - Quit Cup) Advisory Board representing Junior Community Football (1996-2008).
Member – Western Australian Amateur Tribunal Board (1994-2008).
Chairperson – Western Australian Football League Junior Council Board (1982-90).
Subiaco Junior Football Club delegate – Western Australian Junior Council Board (1979-82).
Team Manager, Selector, and Trainer – Teal Cup Team (1978, 79, 80).
Certificate of Recognition, WA Football Commission, in appreciation of outstanding voluntary service to football in Western Australia (2002).
Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation, Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia (2002).
Merit Award – National Australian Football Council Limited. Awarded for outstanding service to Australian Football (1990).
WA Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee (2003-08).
AFL Recognition Award to Volunteers of Australian Football (2003) 5 Years Contribution to WA Amateur Football.
AFL Recognition Award to Volunteers of Australian Football (2003) 25 Years Contribution to Australian Football.
School Sport (Western Australia) Honor Award for commitment to the organization and presentation of School Sport (2002).
Australian Govt. Sporting Achievement Medal (2000).
Board Member – West Australian Football Association (2005-8).
Subiaco Football Club
| Board Director | 1977 - 1991 |
| Life Member | 1984 |
| Co - Coordinator of Memorabilia and Volunteer Sub Committees | 2003-8 |
| “Diehard” – Named as one of 100 individuals who have made a significant contribution to the welfare and perpetuity of the Subiaco Football Club over the past 100 years |
2000 Centenary Year |
| Vice President | 1984-90 |
| Director of Football Affairs (which included player recruitment and welfare) |
1984-90 |
| Director of Juniors, Schools and Country Football | 1977-83 |
| President, Subiaco Junior Council | 1979-82 |
| Board Delegate, Subiaco Junior Council | 1977-78 |
| Former Player | League – 2 games |
|
| Reserves – 73 games |
|
| Thirds– 32 games |
During this period, Gerry assisted in the development of policies that enabled the Subiaco Football Club to have its one most successful periods in the Club history (1985-88, 2 Premierships, 2 Runners-Up)
Community Involvement – Coaching
| Wembley (Under 18) | 1963-64 (Runners‑Up) |
|
| 1965 – Premiership |
| Subiaco Jnr F C Combined Sides (Under 18) | 1963-64 |
| Innaloo (Under 18) | 1974 – Third |
| Subiaco Football Club – Thirds | 1973 |
| – Fourths | 1972 |
| Assistant Coach (Thirds and Fourths) | 1966 |
| Scarborough Football Club (Sunday FL) – Player | 1966-67 |
| Reserves Coach (Runners Up) | 1967 |
| Maddington Football Club‑Player/Coach (South Suburban Murray League) | 1968-69 |
| Subiaco FC Representative/Observer on WAFL Umpires Panel | 1976 |
Congratulations Gerry – a well deserved honour!
