Alan Bishop has been involved in the WKFA for many years. In 1995, he was the winner of the Advance Australia Award, which was presented to him in a ceremony at Government House. He said the prestigious award was recognition of the success and survival of sport in country areas which was dependent on voluntary efforts. He said the award was an achievement, not only for himself, but for the many others who had assisted with the organisation of sport in the West Kimberley.

He had been nominated for the award by the WA Country Football League as a result of a remarkable association with the West Kimberley Football Association.

After arriving in Broome in 1985, Alan soon became heavily involved in local football, having coached junior teams in Perth for the previous 10 years.

In 1987, he moved to One Arm Point for 12 months and coached the Bardi football club to their first premiership.

From 1989 to 1991 he focused his attention on Bidydanga, coaching their team to a premiership win in 1990.

At the same time he became an active member of WKFA, holding various positions on the committee from 1989-1994.

Alan says one of the more satisfying aspects of his work is being part of the program to open the way for West Kimberley footballers to be recognised and selected in WAFL teams like Claremont and ultimately AFL teams.

As a result of the program, Neil Marshall was selected in the Eagles squad and Gavin Mitchell played for the Dockers and St. Kilda.

In 1993 Alan took on the daunting role of chairman of the North West Games Committee which culminated in one of the great sporting events for Broome.

Apart from his behind the scenes work in local sport, Alan is perhaps best known for his contributions on the ABC sports show each Saturday morning where his views and comments have been broadcast throughout the region since 1990.

Not to rest on his laurels, Alan coached Cable Beach to a premiership in 1996. Alan's present role is AFL regional football developmental officer for the Kimberley region. He is working with the Northern Australian football development foundation. Alan was also President of WKFA in 1998.

• 1976 - 1986 Coached various under age teams within the East Perth Zone at Coolbinia Yokine FC and East Perth Highgate FC. Teams including 12's, 13's, 15's and 17's. He was also appointed coach of the East Perth District Representative Team (14's) for 2 of those years.
• 1976 - 1986 he filled the Position of assistant coach (1 year) and Senior Coach (2 Years) with the East Perth Amateur Club in the early 80's.
• 1976 - 1986 During this period he received Level's 1 and 2 Coaching Certificates.
• 1987 - 1988 Coach of Bardi Football Club in the WKFA, finishing Premiers in 1987 and Runners up in 1988.
• 1987 - 1988 Coached the combined Aboriginal Team that played Tiwi Islands at the WACA prior to the Eagles/Footscray game.
• 1989 - 1991 Coach of Bidydanga Football Club. During this time Bidyadanga made their first appearance in the finals in 1989 and won the WKFA Premiership in 1990.
• 1989 - 1991 Coach of the WKFA Combined side that were successful against the East Kimberley in a Kimberley Challenge in 1991 at Kununurra.
• 1992 Coach of the WKFA Combined side that were successful against the East Kimberley in Broome.
• 1992 Involved in the organisation and coordination of the Kimberley Aboriginal Combined side that defeated the Tiwi Islands at the MCG.
• 1993 Chairman of the North West Games Committee which culminated in one of the great sporting events for Broome in October 1995.
• 1996 Winner of an Advance Australia Award for services in sport, in recognition of his remarkable association with the WKFA. Presented by the Governor General at Parliament House in Perth.
• 1996 - 1997 Coach of the Cable Beach Football Club. During this time Cable Beach made their first appearance in the finals in 1996 and won the WKFA Premiership that same year.
• Single handedly set up the CRA Rio Tinto sponsorship agreement, resulting in a record country sponsorship deal of $20,000 per season.
• Set up the Kimberley v's Pilbara Association games which led to Gavin Mitchell playing A.F.L. by inviting recruitment officers from A.F.L. and WAFL clubs to attend games. They now attend Easter Carnivals also set up by Alan.
• Instigated WKFA affiliation with WACFL.
• Initiated purchase and tendering of the food van as a fundraiser for the WKFA.
• Started the WKFA awards nights with many invited dignitaries and special guests attending including chairman WAFL Dr. Peter Tannock, Gerard Neesham, AFL Footballers and AFL Executive Members.
• Recognised in football circles as one of the most energetic, innovative and efficient football and sports administrators in the state of WA.
• Was instrumental in setting up North West Football Championships. Year 1 Championships held in Karratha/Dampier. Year 2 Championships held in Port Hedland, Year 3 and 4 Championships held in Broome.
• Alan has also set up a committee of representatives from all Pilbara/ Gascoyne and Kimberley Associations over a time frame of 4 years, finally this project was supported by W.A.C.F.L. Committee. Sponsorship was sought to finance the event, this was done with success and is considered the most prestigious event on the the North West Football calendar.

As of 2015, see Alan's profile below.  Awarded Life membership of WACFL in 2012

Currently of the board of the WACFL as an Executive Member.

• ALAN ...
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  ALAN BISHOP Executive
  Alan Bishop (also ...
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  Alan Bishop (also Garnduwa's current CEO)
  Executive Committee
  www.garnduwa.com.au, 15 Feb 2014 [cached]

  Alan Bishop (who is also Garnduwa's current CEO)
  Perth Contacts
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  Alan Bishop

  ...

  Alan Bishop

   

  Chief Executive Officer Ph: 08 9243 8288 Email: abishop@garnduwa.com.au

  Alan Bishop receives Life Membership
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  Alan Bishop receives Life Membership

   

  Alan Bishop receives Life Membership Wednesday, 29 February 2012 11:47

   

  Kimberley Football stalwart Alan Bishop was awarded Life Membership of the West Australian Country Football League at its AGM conducted on Saturday, 11 February 2012.

   

  Bishop has been an outstanding servant of country football and is the first person from the north west of the State to be awarded this honour after playing a significant role at a local, regional and state level over 20 years.

   

  He was a founding member of the Kimberley Football Association which he helped to enhance the development of all aspects of football in the Kimberley region.

   

  Bishop has also served in various leadership capacities in the sporting industry, including seven years as Director of theWKFL, during which time he was responsible for overseeing significant improvements in the operations of the League.

   

  For 15 years Bishop was CEO of Garnduwa, where heworked tirelessly to promote junior football at all levels including the establishment of viable Auskick programs in remote communities through to sustainable talent development pathways involving state and national competitions.

   

  He has 20 years coaching experience at both junior and senior levels and as Chairman of the North West Games in 1995.

   

  He also played a major role in the senior Kimberley Indigenous Football teams that participated in representative games in Melbourne and Perth as curtain raisers to AFL games during the 1990s and was involved in the management of every Kimberley Spirit Colts representative team that has participated in the Landmark Country Football Championships and Northwest Championships since 2000.

   

  Bishop was elected onto the WA Country Football League Executive in 1999 and has been a member ever since.

  ...

  Senior Coaching: Bishop coached for eight years in theWest Kimberley Football League winning three Premierships at Bardi FC (1987), Bidyadanga FC (1990) and Cable Beach FC (2006). During this time he also successfully coached the League side on three occasions. Upon his return to Perth, Bishop coached B Grade Amateurs for two seasons at Hamersley-Carine.

   

  Administrative: Director of the West Kimberley Football League (seven years), WACFL Executive (12 years).

   

  Alan was rewarded with Life Membership of the West Kimberley Football League in 1999.

   

  Picture: Alan Bishop is presented with Life Membership by WACFL President Terry House.