SANFL 2006 Annual Report

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S A N F L A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 6PRESIDENT’S REPORTSport, and particularly Australian football, has been an integral partof the South Australian way of life for generations and the SANFLhas been a custodian of this tradition for 130 years.As we look back at 2006 and ahead to 2007 and beyond, mostindicators point to a sound base for football in this State. We can beconfident of positive progress going forward.The year, now under review, again saw growth in SA football as aparticipant and spectator sport and further confirmed the SANFL asa significant business. Indeed, during 2006 the SANFL wasacknowledged by Business SA as one of the top 100 companies inthe State - a reflection of the League’s strong financial position,sound business management practices and its key role as a majoremployer and significant contributor to the local economy. In thiscontext, the SANFL and its associated Clubs now employ more than1,500 South Australians and the football industry contributes inexcess of $485 million into the economy annually. This is anachievement that fairly reflects the commitment of the ExecutiveManagement team and the way they have been guided by theFootball Commission and the League’s Clubs.The popularity and interest in the League’s domestic competitionshas been maintained, with increased aggregate spectator numbersand a keen purpose by all Clubs to achieve the ultimate prize of aPremiership. Congratulations to the Woodville-West TorrensFootball Club - it was rewarded in 2006 for its committed persistenceto succeed in the Premiership quest.At the AFL level, the SANFL strongly protects the position that AAMIStadium will host all AFL games scheduled for playing in this State -a position supported by both the Adelaide and Port Adelaide FootballClubs. Consequently the League has launched another round ofsignificant capital investment to improve facilities at the Stadium forthe benefit of all. The SANFL gratefully acknowledges the key rolethe State Government has played and continues to play in theStadium’s developments.During 2006, participation in the game continued to rise - to morethan 72,000 (an 18.5 percent increase over the past four years).Significantly, last year:• more youngsters participated in youth football programs;• four young SA footballers were offered AIS AFL Academyscholarships;• two of our under 18 State Team were selected in the All-Australianside; and• 15 SANFL youngsters were drafted to AFL clubs and 9 were rookielisted.In financial terms it is pleasing to report that the SANFL produced anoperating surplus well above budget enabling financial grants to thenine League Clubs to rise once again - this time to almost $4.4million.However, none of the League’s successes in 2006 came about byaccident.For more than 20 years the SANFL has charted a steady coursethrough sometimes turbulent waters to deliver a quality product forplayers, spectators and the community at large.Forward planning and ongoing review of progress has been thecornerstone of this process and, in line with this philosophy during2006 the SANFL Commission conducted a major review to outline itsstrategic direction for the next three years. This review, which wasconducted with the assistance of the AFL as facilitator, has providedthe foundation for management to ensure that the SANFL:• remains the premier State League competition;• helps its associated clubs maintain a sound financial base andimprove the quality of their facilities;• maintains a culture of cooperation with the AFL and the two localAFL clubs to deliver the best outcomes for football throughintegrated game development programs;• successfully delivers continued upgrading of AAMI Stadium tofurther enhance the customer experience and establish it as thebest managed and maintained stadium in the State;• increases participant and spectator numbers;• further develops community relationships and uses football as avehicle to promote cultural, education and health initiatives; and• provides leadership across key industry sectors to strengthenfootball’s relationship with the community, governmentand stakeholders.Our State League is unquestionably a significant breeding groundfor young players progressing to AFL ranks, and the League, incollaboration with all affiliated Clubs is working closely with theAFL, local councils, State and Federal Governments to upgradeplaying facilities to provide an avenue for participation in thenational game whilst at the same time encouraging people toexercise and lead healthy lifestyles.The League is appreciative of the strong relationship we havedeveloped with the Government and business community and wecontinue to gain much from the strength of our association with ourcorporate partners.We also acknowledge the continued professionalism of the nineSANFL Clubs and applaud the very significant role the AffiliatedLeagues play at the grassroots level.The League has strong and effective working relationships with theAdelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs. Their success at theelite level is a very tangible reflection of the magnificent work that iscarried out by football administrators throughout the State, from theAFL club boardroom to suburban and country football clubs.In closing, I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues on the SouthAustralian Football Commission and the League Directors for theirdedicated efforts in guiding the sport forward in 2006.I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing commitment of theSANFL Executive Commissioner, Leigh Whicker and the League’sExecutive Management team, who continue to make decisions andimplement initiatives in the best interests of the game.The year now under review was one of sound progress at so manylevels. Against the background of the strength of our managementteam and the partnerships the SANFL has developed with footballfans, Government, the business community, the AFL and its two localClubs, I look forward to 2007 with confidence that we can continue tomove forward for the betterment of the game.Rod Payze, President2
S A N F L A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 6EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER’S REPORTIt is a fact that football is at its best when there is passion andcommitment – from players, spectators and administrators alike.During 2006 these characteristics were again on display throughoutthe SANFL structure, as a result of which the League experienced astrong competition, a sound financial position and growth in its keyperformance indicators.In the process, the SANFL’s standing as the nation’s premier StateLeague was further reinforced.Season 2006 was one of the most competitive in many years,culminating in deserved Grand Final success for Woodville-WestTorrens when the club defeated its nemesis of recent years –Central District.In what was the fifth Grand Final played between these two clubs inthe past seven years, the Eagles triumphed for their first flag in13 years.In many respects, the club’s win reflected the success of the SANFLover that period. Woodville-West Torrens was born out of themerger of two SANFL clubs following the Adelaide Football Club’sformation in 1990 and its entry into the Australian Football Leaguethe following year.In the 13 years that have passed, South Australian football hasdemonstrated remarkable resilience in managing the formation ofa second local AFL club and guiding its formative years. Three AFLPremierships in that period are testimony to the skill anddedication of South Australian administrators and players and tothe strength of support they have received from the community atlarge.The SANFL also defended its interstate reputation following a 17-point victory over Western Australia in May, making it an impressivenine wins from our past 10 State matches.The success of the season – and, indeed, the ongoing evolution ofthe competition in our State – is a tribute to the continued efforts ofall nine League Clubs, who once again worked together in a spiritof collaboration to ensure decisions were made in the bestinterests of the game.enhance a number of spectator-focused initiatives that havealready been undertaken.Over the past 12 years, more than $40 million has been committedto the continued upgrade of AAMI Stadium, with currentdevelopment plans for the next two years totaling a further $22million. A number of other major projects have also beenearmarked, with proposed spending of up to $70 million over thenext five years. This will enable the League to maximise thebenefits of AAMI Stadium as a world-class facility and position thevenue to compete on a global scale for international events.KEY PARTNERSHIPSThe SANFL has always enjoyed strong community and corporatesupport and this was again the case in 2006.GovernmentDuring the year the State Government provided $6.6 million in prepayment of the Government’s share of the Northern Grandstandloan; and a further $5.5 million through a project developmentgrant to improve spectator facilities at AAMI Stadium. Theseinclude improved security, access to facilities and the installation ofa second superscreen.This strong Government assistance has been crucial in theLeague’s efforts to progress the continued development of AAMIStadium as a world class venue capable of attracting national andinternational events for the benefit of South Australians. The U2and Robbie Williams concerts were excellent examples of how theLeague has embraced business opportunities to complement itscore product of AFL/SANFL football.Throughout 2006 the SANFL maintained strong ties with the Officefor Recreation and Sport through our combined public message to“be active”. This message clearly supports the Government’scampaign to emphasise the importance of playing sport to remainfit and healthy.FINANCIAL RESULTSA strong financial position is fundamental if the SANFL is tocontinue investing in the development of football. As such, it ispleasing to report that the League achieved budget in 2006 for the22nd consecutive year.This result was assisted by two AFL finals matches at AAMIStadium, which elevated the SANFL club grants to $4,390,504 – a2.6 percent increase on 2005.At the end of October 2006, the SANFL held an operating surplus$75,352 above budget. This was after grants to clubs and allocating$200,000 for the SANFL Club Facility Fund, which has beenestablished by the League with the objective of providing $1 millionfor upgrading spectator, player and medical facilities at suburbanovals.STADIUM MANAGEMENTIn addition to the AFL minor round and two AFL finals matches,AAMI Stadium hosted two major concerts in 2006. These eventscontributed to a total attendance figure of more than one million forthe year.Reflecting this significant level of patronage, the SANFL hasembarked on an exciting Planned Development Program for thestadium. This program is strategically structured to furtherEXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM: Paul Anderson, General Manager- Marketing and Corporate Affairs; Glen Rosser, General Manager -Football Operations; Leigh Whicker, Executive Commissioner andJohn Lyons, General Manager - Commercial Operations, Strategicand Major Projects.3
Page 2 and 3: FRONT COVER: Victorious State TeamC
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Page 38 and 39: THE PREMIERSAfter 13 years and five
Page 40 and 41: 2006 MAGAREY MEDALCongratulations t
Page 50 and 51: Executive CommissionerLeigh Whicker

SANFL 2006 Annual Report

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