Wed Sep 18 04:14:37 UTC 2024: ## WA Sydney Swans Supporters Club Crowned AFL Fans Association’s “Supporter Group of the Year”

**Perth, Western Australia** – Despite being thousands of kilometers away from their beloved Sydney Swans, the WA Sydney Swans Supporters Club has proven that distance is no barrier to dedication and passion. The club, known for its welcoming and inclusive community, has been awarded the prestigious “Supporter Group of the Year” title by the AFL Fans Association (AFLA).

Club president Daz Sommerville expressed his surprise and delight, stating, “It’s quite surreal. People think we’re very fanatical, which to some extent, I suppose we are.” The AFLA praised the club’s dedication and ability to bring together a community of Swans fans in Perth, where the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles dominate the local scene.

The club’s success comes at an exciting time for the Sydney Swans, who are currently in the preliminary finals after a strong season. The Swans will face off against Port Adelaide this Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sommerville highlighted the unique challenges faced by the WA supporters, who rarely get to see their team play live. “Most other people get to see their footy teams very regularly, several weekends in a row,” he explained. “For us, we were lucky if we get one game a year over here.”

Despite the distance, the WA Sydney Swans Supporters Club fosters a strong sense of community. “We’ve created an environment that is inclusive and just has everyone basically lining up to come in the door,” Sommerville said. He added that the club’s passion comes from their remoteness, with many members being expats from the east coast or simply drawn to the team for unique reasons, like one member who became a Swans supporter because her favorite color is pink, which is made by mixing red and white, the team’s colors.

The club’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, with Sommerville receiving messages and phone calls from members who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to connect with fellow Swans fans in WA and feel part of the broader Sydney Swans community.

Read More