It has been twelve months since the launch of the Wests Archive web site. The web site is constantly uploaded with new player bios as well as new information as it is found.
There are 1,034 former Wests First Grade players and full bios have been completed for almost 400 of them. Another 280 player bios have had preliminary research completed and have also been added to the web site.
Of the approximately 360 players yet to be added to the web site, more than 300 of these are players that made their First Grade debut between 1976 and 1999. These will be added on a year by year basis.
During the past six months there has been a focus on completing bios on players from the 1970’s. In close collaboration with Pratten Park Magpies, many of these players have been personally interviewed. Therefore, valuable insights have been gained and recorded. This has taken additional time but has been a great means of providing an accurate record.
During the year, the Wests team which includes Neil Bennett, Tony Lewis and Geoff Ibbett have engaged with a broader group of rugby league historians and researchers. This group represents many of the Sydney clubs or are connected in other ways with rugby league history. This network is working positively to share information which will promote the game, the clubs and the achievement of individual players.
Following the launch of the Wests Archive web site a record has been maintained on user traffic. There has been a steady flow of hits which peak particularly after introducing new player bios. The promotion of these are mainly through the Pratten Park Magpies network and through targeted social media sites. The number of active users on the site has been recorded at 8,400 with 63,000 views.
We are looking forward to another productive year preserving and promoting Wests history.
westsarchives.com.au