TWO dedicated servants to country football will be honoured with WA Country Football League Life Memberships after decades of involvement with grassroots football in Western Australia.

Ben Ralph and Jim Hull were both unanimously endorsed by League delegates at the Annual General Meeting on 16 February 2013 to receive WACFL Life Memberships.

WACFL President Terry House said that both men were highly deserving of the honour for their outstanding commitment to country football over many years.

“This honour will recognise their wonderful contribution to our great game in Western Australia,” Mr House said.

WA State Country players Jeffery Smith (Railways Geraldton) and Troy Ditchburn (Kukerin-Dumbleyung), pictured left, were named in the All-Australian team at the completion of the Australian Country Football Championships in Wagga Wagga.

Ditchburn also won WA’s best and fairest Bud Byfield Medal and Teke Vernon (Collie) won the WAFL Past Players Rising Star Award. 

WA finished sixth overall at the championships after being defeated by Queensland in the final game on Sunday, July 22.

After losing to Queensland by more than five goals in round-robin competition on the Friday, WA did well to be within four points of their opponents at half time of the 5th v 6th play-off.

DAY 1 scores for the WA State Country Team from the Australian Country Football Championships in Wagga Wagga.

Game 1:

Victoria                           6.6 (42)

Western Australia            3.7 (25)

WA Goal Kickers: Mathew Martin, M. Thomas,  Daniel Dalby
WA Best Players: Regan Duckworth, Troy Ditchburn, James Venturini, Kris Clarkson, Jeff Smith and Jesse Gribble.

Game 2:

South Australia                 7.3 (45)

Western Australia            3.5 (23)

WA Goal Kickers: Jeff Smith (pictured), James Venturini, Ashley Wallam

WA Best Players: James Venturini, Kris Clarkson, Jayden Brooks, Regan Duckworth, Luke Bairstow and William Barnes.

Friday’s Fixtures (WST)

9.45 am                WA v VIC2

12.15 pm              WA v NSW/ACT

1.30 pm                WA v QLD

Day 1 results and Day 2 fixtures follow for the 2012 Landmark Country Football Championships.

The 2012 Landmark Country Championships kick off on Thursday, July 12 with Division One games at East Fremantle Oval and Bendigo Bank Stadium and Colts games at Claremont Oval.

FIXTURES - 2012 Landmark Championships Fixtures

The Championships will be played over four days, with qualifying games on Thursday and Friday, followed by Colts finals on Saturday at Brownes Stadium and League finals on Sunday at Medibank Stadium.

The 2012 Landmark Country Championships kick off on Thursday, July 12 with Division One games at East Fremantle Oval and Bendigo Bank Stadium and Colts games at Claremont Oval.

The Championships will be played over four days, with qualifying games on Thursday and Friday, followed by Colts finals on Saturday at Brownes Stadium and League finals on Sunday at Medibank Stadium.

WACFL General Manager Joe Georgiades said Ongerup would step up to Division 1 this year and meet last year’s champions, South West, on the opening day at WAFL club Peel Thunder’s home ground.

The Belt Up Weekend is a statewide initiative scheduled this year for Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20, 2012. The concept is embraced by the West Australian rural and regional football community and supported by the WA Country Football League.

This special weekend is conducted each year to educate and reinforce the importance of using seatbelts and to stop and reflect on those who have died on Western Australian roads because of their failure to wear seat belts.