MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2022

Drew Palmer, President

Born in Brisbane, Drew is a proud Queenslander who grew up immersed in all things maroon. This obsession followed him across the Nullabor and led him to Subiaco AFC.

He has over 25 years experience in engineering and managerial roles in the telecommunications and utilities industries, having worked in London, Singapore and Mumbai, before settling in Perth. A father of two boys, Drew has been a member of Subiaco AFC since 2009 and has been Club President since 2014.

Andrea Ahearn, Club Secretary

Andrea Ahearn is a Marketing Director in her professional career, and in her spare time she’s heavily involved in women’s football.

Since 2012, Andrea has been a general member on the Subiaco AFC committee looking after the interests of the women’s team. In her current role, she co-ordinates all the women’s teams across the NPLW, Amateurs and Metropolitan leagues. Andrea is a qualified Senior C licence coach and a social player at the club. She is also a member of the Football West Coaches Standing Committee. Her passion for football is the reason she continues to give back to the game. She took over the role of Club Secretary in 2022.

Rachel Benton, Registrar

Born in the U.K., Rachel moved to Perth in her late teens with her parents. She quickly became home sick and returned home, where she met her husband, Lee. After having children and making a few visits to Perth, Rachel and her family decided to make a more permanent moved in late 2014.

Rachel has worked at the University of Western Australia since 2015. Football has always been part of her life, as she grew up watching her dad play, and then, later, watching her husband play. So, she’s at home on the sidelines supporting her two sons, Lucas and Ridley, who have been at Subi for the last 5 years. Over the years, Rachel has been Team Manager and Age Group Coordinator for both her boys. She took on the role of Registrar in November 2021.

James Noakes, VP Commercial

Originally from Bournemouth in the UK, James moved to Perth in April 2011 when he was asked to take up the role of Regional Manager WA NT for Grace Group.

James has acted as an age group coordinator and coached for the club when his eldest son Billy joined the club in U6s up until Billy was in the U10s. James then dropped down the age groups to act as age group coordinator and coach when his youngest son Tommy joined the club in U5s. Billy will play U16s next year and undertake referee duties with Tommy playing U10s.

Lauren Clarke, VP Communications

Originally from Sydney, Lauren moved to Perth in 2020 for a lifestyle change and hasn’t looked back. Lauren is a corporate communications professional by day and is also studying nutrition and sustainability.  

Lauren has a passion for all things fitness and loves a physical challenge, whether it be cross fit, triathlons or hiking mountains around the world. A member of the women’s metro team at Subiaco for three years, Lauren joined our committee as VP Communications in 2023.

Andrew Faragher, VP Football

Andrew grew up playing football in Somerset, England until 18, representing Somerset in goal at 18 before deciding to play rugby! Andrew moved to Australia in 1994, living all over the country and playing football in Townsville, Mt Isa and Perth. Andrew and his family moved to Perth in 2002 with Rio Tinto before heading to Vancouver from 2014-2018 where his two boys developed a love for the game. The North Vancouver Soccer Club has 3500 members from 5 to 18 and it is here that Andrew started coaching and realised he still had a passion for the game.

When Andrew and his family returned to Perth, they registered at Subiaco as it was the closest club. Both boys have played for five years, while Andrew coached for two and been age group coordinator for three. Andrew also plays in goal for the over 45s Masters team.

Heather Moore, Treasurer

Better late than never – Heather took up soccer in her late 20s in her hometown of Dublin, Ireland. Finding a good club in Perth was a priority for Heather when she moved here in early 2012. This is how she found Subiaco AFC and Heather still says joining our club was one of the best decisions she ever made. 11 seasons later, having been excused for a few to have her two soccer-made sons, Heather is back playing where she started with the women’s metro team.

A director of local Subiaco accounting and financial advisory form, Knight, Heather was delighted to take on the role of Treasurer in 2023.