To the Western United family,
Just over six months ago, Western United FC began its inaugural A-League season.
And what a season it has been for us.
The very beginning with the Wellington away win and the history-making goal from Besart Berisha – forever in our club’s history as we won our first ever match.
The first home game, the first home goal, the first time we played local rivals Melbourne Victory and witnessed the spirit of our club in that sensational fightback. The bravery we had as a club to change our set plan and bring a game to the heartland of the west and play at VU Whitten Oval.
The kilometres travelled by our fans to cheer on our boys in Green & Black.
And now, we – like the rest of the world, face our next challenge together against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parameters of this global issue are constantly shifting.
The Western United Board and Executive are working hard to determine the best strategy for our club, in particular this week through the challenges facing our workforce planning, future revenues and the future of the A-League.
Today, regrettably, we have had to have conversations with every employee of the club to notify them of future working arrangements, which are significantly altered for everyone in our business.
We are working with our players and staff through this difficult time and at the moment have implemented reduced working hours and stand downs across the business, on a case by case basis due to the continued uncertainty relating to distributions from the FFA and the future revenue streams to the Club.
The current arrangements for individuals and the business as a whole will be reviewed on a month-by-month basis.
We will provide all our employees with regular advice and updates from the Government support packages and how they can benefit from them. If and when the season is able to resume, we will be in a position to be ready to compete.
This is not a desirable situation for anyone and they are extraordinary measures that I recognise are stressful, however they have been taken to ensure that we can continue to build this club well beyond its first year.
I will continue working with my team to navigate the crisis as it unfolds to ensure we have the best possible strategy in place for the future of Western United FC.
I’m so proud of this club and every person that has been part of nurturing it throughout this first season.
But what we know is that we are obsessed with the Green & Black and that we won’t surrender until we succeed. The ambition of Western United FC and the people of the west are built on rising to challenges thrown at them – we’re built on persevering and finding ways through – together we can do this.
We’ll be back. The boys will walk out again soon. You’ll cheer for the Green & Black and we’ll build something so great for the west that it will be championed for years to come. For now stay safe and stay united.
Forever us, FOREVER WEST.
Jason Sourasis
Chairman
Western United FC
