South Fremantle and East Fremantle announce business case for co-tenancy

THE South Fremantle and East Fremantle Football Clubs have announced that they will investigate the opportunity for co-tenancy at Fremantle Oval.

The business case will involve investigating a range of different options which may include EFFC staying at East Fremantle Oval or co-locating with the SFFC at Fremantle Oval.

The advantages and disadvantages of these options along with the associated costs will be determined during the course of the business case.

Both the SFFC and EFFC have a proud history in the Fremantle community and this investigation recognises the commitment of each club to the greater Fremantle community and to club members to assess whether co-tenancy is best for our long-term future.

This decision to create a business case is for the sustainability of both clubs as well as ensuring Fremantle Oval continues to be an important community hub. 

The SFFC, apart from 1906, has played its home games at Fremantle Oval since being founded in 1900. From foundation in 1898 to the completion of the 1952 season and with the exception of 1906, EFFC played home games at Fremantle Oval.  

The coming together of the two port clubs to investigate their facilities future recognises the potential benefits of co-tenancy, including increased activity in the City of Fremantle, with the potential for a WAFL game being fixtured in Fremantle almost every week of the WAFL season, along with the capital and operational cost efficiencies by sharing facilities. 

SFFC CEO Stuart Kemp stressed the importance of the business case.

"It would be negligent of SFFC to our members not to investigate all sustainability opportunities for the betterment of the organisation and its future, the process that will be undertaken as part of the business case will assist the club in this regard," Kemp said.

"This is a passionate topic for our members and fans and we will be doing everything possible to develop a business case that is one, financially and historically prudent and two, takes into account stakeholders' concerns

"I can’t stress enough that all key stakeholders will be part of this process and it is only early days, the finer details are yet to be determined and myself and the board feel it’s important to investigate all options to secure the future of the football club."

The State Government, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, is helping facilitate the process of this investigation and the resultant business case. The City of Fremantle has also shown support for the project and naturally will be involved as a key stakeholder. 

SFFC and EFFC acknowledge the cooperation that will be required through this investigation and welcome the opportunity to work together through this process and acknowledge that the process will require the cooperation and goodwill of all stakeholders.

The rivalry between SFFC and EFFC, seeded in history, remains strong today. The clubs share a passionate common ambition to outperform one another on the field and this will never change.

"It is reasonable to suggest the rivalry between the two clubs could amplify if co-tenancy is possible," Kemp said.

It is anticipated the business case will be completed within 20 weeks from the date of commission.