Mid West Sport Federation’s chair of eight years, Mike Bowley, steps aside as Tanya Amazzini steps in

After eight years as chair of the Mid West Sports Federation, Mike Bowley has called time on his position as Tanya Amazzini steps in to fill the role. Bowley moved to Geraldton in the late 1990s from South Australia with his family and immediately fell right into place in the sporting community of the Mid West. On the board of the federation for more than 10 years, Bowley said the reason for his involvement was about the opportunities for future generations. “The reason I went on this on the sports federation board was because I wanted to provide for my grandkids the same opportunities that my kids had in the sporting community here” he said. Bowley has just about seen it all in his time on the board and as chair, but is happy now to step aside knowing the opportunities that will present themselves in the future for Amazzini who now steps into the role. “I’m more than happy to step aside knowing that the sports federation’s been in good hands and is going to be in good hands going forward,” he said. “The role gives Tanya a really good opportunity to broaden her experience but at the same time gives a fresh approach to the thinking for the board too.” Placing a great deal of importance on the economic value and social value of sport in the region, Bowley said his proudest moments had involved growing the reach of sport in the Mid West. “We brought awareness of the economic value of sport in the Mid West to the attention of key stakeholders, particularly local government authorities,” he said. “I think everyone understands that the fabric of rural communities is sport, and socially it holds everyone together . . . and the health benefits are there as well. “Not everyone really understood how much sport brought tourists to the region, and we undertook a project back in about 2016 which showed the value of sport was for every dollar invested.” “It’s about a $7 average return in attracting tourists to come to to the region for sporting events.” Bowley said his work was not over just yet, saying that the federation will continue to build on their goal of providing for a growing community. “The real challenge that we have in front of us now as a sporting community is to project forward the opportunity to ensure that the infrastructure that we’ve got is fit for purpose for a growing community, for a growing Geraldton and a growing Mid West,” he said. “We’ve actually started, we put together a plan to help associations identify those needs into the future and we’ll be working through that.” Bowley will continue to be on the board of the Mid West Sports Federation to keep serving the community and will be looking forward to a much-needed break, with travelling one of his priorities. Stepping in with an impressive resume in the world of sporting administration, Amazzini hopes to continue the work with sport in the community. “I am humbled that the committee has appointed me as chairperson,” she said. “The federation values the importance that sport holds in our communities. “It’s a key reason people stay and communities thrive as participants of all ages enjoy positive mental and physical health and social connection. “The federation looks forward to being involved in various projects and assisting our members to make solid improvements in areas such as professional development of their committees and volunteers.”