Mr Hitchen, who served as a Director on Fremantle’s Board between 2001 and 2007, was awarded the honour for his services to football at grass roots level through to his roles with Fremantle. Aside from holding the prestigious title of Vice President of the Fremantle Football Club between 2002 and 2005, Mr Hitchen was a member of the interim Board of the club in 1994, is a past President and Board member and Life Member of the East Fremantle Football Club and is a past President of Sunday League club Applecross Football Club between 1988 and 1990.
Mr Hitchen, along with the other four Life Members, will be inducted at the Life Members’ Christmas Luncheon to be held on 1 December at Subiaco Oval.
Mr Hitchen said he was honoured to be a 2008 inductee into the WAFC Life Membership.
“I’m absolutely rapt to be joining a very elite group of people as a West Australian Football Commission Life Member,” he said.
“I’m pretty proud of my contribution to football at community, WAFL and AFL level and I look forward to continuing my involvement in the coming years.”
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.
“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,” WAFC Chairman Dr Neale Fong said.
Fremantle President Rick Hart said it was a thoroughly deserved honour for Len to have bestowed on him.
“Len was acting Chairman in 2002 and his support to me when I became Chairman was highly valued in a critical time of the club’s evolution and rejuvenation,” Mr Hart said.
“Len has a long history in WAFL football and football generally in WA and his significant contributions to the Fremantle Football Club in particular makes his honouring thoroughly deserved.”
The four other recipients of WAFC Life Membership in 2008 are;
Ken Baxter
o Retired earlier this year after 33 years consecutive service on the WA Country Football League Executive, the last seven as President (Life Member)
o Over 40 years of service to Cunderdin Football Club (Life Member)
o Over 25 years of service to Avon Football Association (Life Member)
Terry Dean
o In his 50th year of service as player, coach and Board member
o President of South Fremantle Football Club since 1996 (Life Member)
o Life Member of both South Fremantle Junior Football Council and Kwinana Football Club
Ric Gloede
o WAFC Commissioner since 2001, retiring 31.12.08
o Member of Interim Board, Fremantle Football Club 1994
o Past President and Board member of South Fremantle Football Club (Life Member)
Gerry Stokes
o Over 50 years involvement in grassroots football
o Chair of Community Football Council 2001-2007
o Board member WA Football Development Trust 1986-2000
o Chair of WA Regional Junior Football Board 1991-2000
o Chair of WAFL Junior Council Board 1982-90
