2025 CEO Update

Welcome back for another big year ahead at the Thunder!

I trust everyone had a great Christmas Season with their loved ones.  Here at the Club, our people are refreshed and ready to continue to drive high standards on and off the field, following a successful end to the 2024 WAFL season.

For those that were unable to make the 2024 AGM, I provided an update on some adjustments to our football program which will see us working toward being the most competitive version of ourselves each week.  A significant focus on player wellbeing will see us continue to improve all aspects of our football program, with the aim of having all our WAFL and WAFLW teams playing finals regularly.

The most pleasing aspect to date, in the preseason, has been everyone’s commitment to this approach and in fact, we are already seeing gains in our players’ strength and conditioning.

It is with this, that we are calling on all Thunder Members and Supporters to get on board in 2025.  There are several ways you can support the Club, and we are excited to share some of these initiatives leading into the WAFLW and WAFL seasons:

• Club Membership – as most already know, we are the most engaging and connected football Club in the competition, and we make no secret about what we are trying to achieve in our wider community.  It has never been easier to watch the best State League competition across both male and female football.
  
  We are pleased to announce a reduction in our Annual Membership fees to attend every home game played at Lane Group Stadium, at just $120.  Not only is it more cost effective, but it retains all the member benefits previously provided.  Our aim is to fill Lane Group Stadium every week, with passionate Thunder members, making the venue as loud as possible to support our players and make it a daunting prospect for visiting teams.
  
  For more information, please click the link and sign up now!

• Thunder Connect – a new initiative in 2025 focussed on engaging local businesses in the Region.  For those that aren’t aware, our zone runs from Rockingham in the North, Dwellingup and Collie in the East, to Donnybrook in the South; and we are calling on all businesses to use this networking opportunity to share ideas on leadership, growth and community enhancement.  Once per quarter, we will be hosting Business Luncheon’s with keynote speakers and entertainment to engage with over 200 likeminded community leaders.
  
  Full details of the Thunder Connect Membership, and its benefits, are available here. 

• AAMI Community Series: Fremantle vs Melbourne at Lane Group Stadium – Sunday 2^nd March will see the AFL return to our home venue for the first time since 2020, and we are once again excited to showcase the region to a national audience.  The Club will be selling Function Package tickets, with details currently being finalised and released within the next 24 hours, but we encourage the whole region to get behind this fixture and highlight to the AFL how good Mandurah is at putting on major events. 
  
  In preparation for the event, there is a lot of work to do to get our venue looking the part and we are calling on all volunteers to get behind the Club Busy Bee on Friday 21^st February from 4-8pm.  There are range of tasks required to be completed prior to the event and in the lead up to our WAFLW season opener, including high pressure cleaning the grandstand, cleaning and repairing all signage, garden beds and cobwebbing to name a few.  We also need the assistance of some equipment on the day from high pressure cleaners, to truck access for removing waste.
  
  Please register your availability to assist on the day with Jonelle Abbott at administration@peelthunder.com.au so we can allocate tasks and make the most out of a fun evening working together.  The Club will provide some light refreshments at the conclusion of the Busy Bee, and I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. 

Lastly, as we finalise our playing squads leading into the 2025 season, there will be many more opportunities to get involved with our Club through Player Sponsorship.  This is a great way to support our players’ journey through our elite football program offering the best coaching, strength and conditioning, and medical support to the most talented players in our Region.  We are humbled to be the best resourced Club in the competition through our Partnership with Fremantle and we will continue to provide opportunities for our people to maximise their potential.  Our players will be on the lookout in the next month, so if you are asked to support them, know that it goes a long way to continuing our path to leading the competition for a long time.

Keep an eye out for upcoming events through our socials and website, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the Thunder in 2025!

Paul Lekias 

CEO