West Coast Eagles and the SAS Resources Trust (SASRT) have today signed a landmark agreement that will deliver major benefits for Australia’s serving and former Special Air Services Regiment personnel.

The long-standing relationship between the organisations will be enhanced by a commitment to work together in a range of capacities, including the provision of rehabilitation facilities at the Eagles proposed new headquarters at Lathlain Park.

The strong association between the Eagles and the SAS Regiment has existed on an informal basis virtually from the time the West Coast Eagles entered an expanded VFL competition in 1987.

Over the last 27 years the two organisations have collaborated on training camps and leadership models. They will become even more closely aligned when the club moves out to a new training and administration base at Lathlain Park within the next two years.

The relationship between West Coast and the SASRT has been reinforced in recent years after former SAS Regiment commanding officer and SASRT board member, James McMahon, joined the board in 2007. McMahon is currently the Eagles’ deputy chairman.

The new agreement will deliver the following benefits:

• Access for current and ex-SASR personnel to the West Coast Eagles state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities, which will greatly assist in their rehabilitation from injuries incurred during training and active duty.

• Further development of current partnership between the SASR and the West Coast Eagles, aimed at assisting current and ex-SASR personnel with the challenges of service with the SASR.

• Generate greater awareness of the organisation and its purpose/objectives.

“The West Coast and the SASRT have been closely involved for as long as I have been at the club,” Chief Executive Trevor Nisbett said.

“It is terrific for us to formalise the partnership and we look to working even more closely together. We are thoroughly committed to helping support SAS Regiment personnel, who contribute so much.

“The new agreement will be mutually beneficial and, from our perspective, is a perfect fit.

“Our club derives enormous value from this relationship. There is so much we can learn and gain from each other by sharing information specific to our own operations, Nisbett said.   

Commenting on the signing of the partnership, the Hon Peter Blaxell Chairman of the SASRT said "The Trust very much relies on the community for help in supporting the Regiment, and we see the partnership with the Eagles as a wonderful example of building our community relationships"