Anzac Field possible new name for Subiaco

Subiaco Oval, Western Australia's elite sporting stadium, will be renamed Anzac Field under a radical naming rights deal being brokered by the WA Football Commission.

The WAFC is also keen to link the new arrangement to a community-based foundation in which the corporate sector would financially support football-related projects throughout WA.

Under the arrangement, State and Federal Governments plus the AFL Commission would contribute about $1 million a year to fund the concept.

The West Australian understands the WAFC has already had informal discussions with mining giant BHP Billiton over the proposed foundation.

WAFC chairman Neale Fong said last night the idea had been discussed with both the Federal and State Governments, as well as major football and community organisations, including the Returned and Services League and WAFL.

"We believe it's got some legs and we're working through it," Fong said. "We've explored it with the RSL and they are very supportive."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the national league commission had given its blessing to the Anzac Field name. The AFL supported the WAFC's push for a $40 million redevelopment and expansion of Subiaco Oval and hinted that support would also include significant financial backing.

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said he had not been told of official details of the naming plan but believed the WAFC wanted it to have a community feel. He said the Anzac name would provide the perfect platform.

"I love it - it's a battlefield and to have something that reflects the Anzacs would be wonderful," Nisbett said.

WAFC chief executive Wayne Bradshaw said the commission had high regard for the name Subiaco Oval and would change it only if there was a significant financial impact for football.

Selling the naming rights to its biggest asset has been high on the WAFC agenda for more than three years. The commission had been seeking a multi-million dollar, multi-year deal for the rights. In 2003, the WAFC revealed it was searching for a arrangement that would generate $14 million in 10 years.

In 2003, telephone company Crazy John's offered the WAFC $5 million over five years to rename the ground.

But the proposal was blocked by the Subiaco City Council which rejected any plans to change the name of the near-century old facility.

New Subiaco mayor Heather Henderson has said the council would not consider, under any circumstance, a change to the name of WA's home of football. She could not be contacted last night to comment on the name Anzac Field.

Under the WAFC's concept, not only would the ground name change but monuments to Australia's war servicemen and women would also be erected around the Subiaco Oval precinct.

The Minister for Veterans Affairs must approve use of the name Anzac under the War Precautions Act.

A spokesman for Federal Minister Deanne Kelly said the matter had been considered and the RSL would be notified in due course.

WA RSL president Bill Gaynor said his association would support the WAFC's plans if the word Anzac was used without any commercial association.