Sport and Recreation, WA

Big wins on and off the field at Stan Twight Reserve 🏏⚽️🙌

The reserve has been named Community Facility Project of the Year at the 2026 National Community Cricket Awards. A huge moment for a place that means so much to its community 🏆

The redevelopment boasts modern facilities and upgraded lighting, making it easier for local clubs and the wider community to train, play and come together.

Home to Shoalwater Bay Cricket Club, Safety Bay Stingers Football Club and Rockingham Rams Masters Football Club, the reserve has seen strong growth in recent years, including more women and juniors getting involved.

Supported by the WA Government through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund, the City of Rockingham. WA Cricket and Cricket Australia, and WA Football through the Australian Football Facilities Fund.

The upgrades are part of the WA Government's PlayOn WA: 2030 by 2030 initiative, which is delivering new and improved community sport infrastructure across the State.

Who’s played or cheered from the sidelines at Stan Twight Reserve? 🙋‍♀️📣

⚽🏉🏏 Sport has the power to connect communities, but inclusion and cultural safety are achieved through strong leadership, shared expectations and ongoing education.

The True Sport AU Cultural Education Initiative is supporting clubs, State Sporting Associations and community organisations across WA to build respect, understanding and inclusion for First Nations people at every level of sport.

Supported by the WA Government, the initiative offers practical, WA‑specific tools and guidance to help the sector take meaningful steps toward reconciliation through sport.

Learn more and see how sport can lead the way➡️ https://www.truesport.com.au/initiatives/cultural-education-initiative-2

The True Sport Cultural Education Initiative is here. This initiative supports sport to build knowledge, respect and cultural understanding through practical resources.

Find out more here: https://www.truesport.com.au/initiatives/cultural-education-initiative-2

This year marks 20 years of the Western Force! 💙

For 2 decades, the Western Force has been part of WA’s sporting story. From packed stadiums to grassroots clubs, they’ve inspired young Aussies to pick up a ball and give rugby a go.

We’re proud to support RugbyWA and community clubs across the state, helping more young Western Australians get involved, stay active, and feel connected.

Here’s to 20 incredible years and many more to come.

Photo emoji: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Perth’s basketball calendar just got bigger. 🏀

Australia’s largest basketball festival, HoopsFest, is locked in for Perth until 2028 under a new 2‑year deal.

The event will again bring all 10 NBL teams and all 9 WNBL teams to RAC Arena, with regular in‑season games forming part of the festival over the next 2 years.

HoopsFest has already attracted more than 35,500 attendees and delivered over $6.1 million in economic impact, with thousands of out‑of‑State visitors supporting local hotels, hospitality venues and businesses.

Beyond the games, HoopsFest will deliver sport clinics, open training sessions, grassroots activations and the Adopt‑a‑Club Program, benefiting Perth’s basketball clubs and community. The free Bounce Nation Fan‑Zone will also return, creating a vibrant, family‑friendly space with player appearances and interactive activities.

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3PMHyxG

🏉 Strong communities are built through connection, leadership and opportunity.

Perth Bears head coach and NRL Immortal Mal Meninga joined communities across the Pilbara as part of the Pilbara Rugby League, connecting with young players, families and volunteers at the heart of the game.

Hosted by NRL’s 2025 Community Club of the Year, Karratha Kangaroos Junior Rugby League, alongside NRL WA, the event brought together teams from Broome, Paraburdoo and Port Hedland.

The visit reflects the Perth Bears’ commitment to building genuine relationships across regional WA and supporting grassroots rugby league where it matters most.

Perth is ready to row. 🚣‍♀️

This week, the Australian Masters Rowing Championships arrive at Champion Lakes, bringing the nation’s masters rowing community back to WA for the first time since 2019.

From 27–30 May, competitors aged 27 and over will race across more than 300 events at one of Australia’s leading rowing venues.

One of the most inclusive events on the national calendar, the regatta will draw rowers, officials and spectators from across the country, delivering strong benefits for local hotels, hospitality and small businesses.

Make sure you drop in and catch the action.

➡️ https://bit.ly/4nT09oz

🌊 Waves, confidence and connection in Geraldton 🏄‍♀️

The second Girls Go Surfing Day was held at Back Beach Geraldton on Saturday 3 May, welcoming 32 girls and women aged 8 to 53 for a day in the ocean.

Delivered by A Glassy Day Surf Coaching and Surfing WA, with support from local female coaches, the event created a safe and supportive space to learn surfing skills, ocean safety and build confidence.

Perfect conditions set the scene for 2 90-minute surf sessions and surf rescue activities, helping participants of all abilities feel stronger, more confident and connected through sport.

This community-led event was supported by the WA Government through the Inclusive Participation Grant Program.

🔗 Find out more from Surfing WA: https://bit.ly/4wEvajV

⚽💙 Perth goes Inter blue

Over the weekend, Perth landmarks lit up in Inter Milan’s iconic blue to celebrate the club’s historic domestic double and build excitement ahead of Calico Italiano at Optus Stadium in August. From Kings Park and Botanic Garden’s Fraser Avenue to Optus Stadium, the activation linked Western Australia with celebrations in Milan and brought world football culture into the heart of Perth.

For local fans, the lighting offered an early taste of what is to come, creating shared moments across the city and building momentum ahead of the arrival of Inter, AC Milan, Juventus and Palermo later this year. With blockbuster fixtures locked in at Optus Stadium, the weekend celebrations reinforced Perth’s growing reputation as a destination for major international sporting events and unforgettable fan experiences

🔗 Get your tickets now: https://bit.ly/4dNtpZh

, is our chance to recognise the 320,000+ West Aussies powering community sport.

This morning's SportWest Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast was the perfect setting to take some time to celebrate some selfless West Aussies.

We’re proud to support the WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program, celebrating those making a real difference.

It was great to celebrate our most recent winners from the program.

👏 Indiah Reidy — Trigg Island SLSC
👏 Erin Stocks — North Dianella Netball Club
👏 Mason Watts — Exmouth Touch Football

If you know a sporting volunteer star please nominate them today! https://lnkd.in/giB5iyiV

🏐 A powerful day of sport, culture and community in Mandurah.

Last week, the inaugural Mandurah NAIDOC Netball Carnival brought players, coaches, umpires and families together in a vibrant celebration of culture and connection through sport.

Supported by the WA Government funding and delivered by Netball WA through the Inspire and Grow project, the carnival welcomed more than 200 players from across the Peel, South West and Great Southern regions, as well as Rockingham and Kwinana.
The event showcased the strength of culturally inclusive pathways into netball, with a strong focus on growing First Nations participation across playing, coaching and officiating roles.

Through initiatives like the Mandurah NAIDOC Netball Carnival, sport continues to create welcoming spaces that reflect community, strengthen connection and support lasting participation across Western Australia.

Image credit: Netball WA/Madeleine Clark