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Goal to crunch clubs' finances
By Mark Robinson
December 18, 2003
MAKING all 16 clubs profitable is the immediate concern for the AFL, which yesterday announced unprecedented national growth in the game.
Figures compiled by Street Ryan and Associates revealed growth in participation (24,281 new players), umpire numbers, accredited coaches and, importantly, across the board in NSW, Queensland and even in the heartland, Victoria.
Attendances increased 4.2 per cent to 6.35 million despite the renovations at the MCG and viewer numbers were up almost 10 per cent to 3.84 million in the five mainland capital cities.
The AFL also recorded a net surplus of $4.7 million.
"The figures we have received from the census top off a fantastic year for the AFL," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday.
"AFL football is growing and we're going to go harder next year.
"And when we release our strategic plan next February, I think you'll see a huge emphasis on accelerating that growth."
The major concern for the league was club finances, although this year there was a $14 million turnaround.
In 2002, the aggregate loss among clubs was $6 million, while clubs in 2003 were forecasting an aggregate profit in excess of $8 million.
"We would be very pleased if we had 16 profitable football clubs each year," Demetriou said.
"This year we've got five that are forecasting to make losses.
"It is tougher for our clubs to generate new revenue streams. They're all looking for ways to generate new revenue, the AFL is continuing its drive to find new revenue streams, so when we get to a situation when we've got 16 profitable clubs and that is consistent, we'd be very happy."
Figures showed the growth of the game was led by Queensland (25 per cent) and NSW (16 per cent), as well as traditional markets the Northern Territory (seven per cent) and Victoria (four per cent).
The popular Auskick program also increased 22 per cent to more than 120,000 children.
The umpiring fraternity also welcomed 2600 new members, further indicating the AFL's campaign to improve the image of umpiring, was succeeding, Demetriou said.
By Mark Robinson
December 18, 2003
MAKING all 16 clubs profitable is the immediate concern for the AFL, which yesterday announced unprecedented national growth in the game.
Figures compiled by Street Ryan and Associates revealed growth in participation (24,281 new players), umpire numbers, accredited coaches and, importantly, across the board in NSW, Queensland and even in the heartland, Victoria.
Attendances increased 4.2 per cent to 6.35 million despite the renovations at the MCG and viewer numbers were up almost 10 per cent to 3.84 million in the five mainland capital cities.
The AFL also recorded a net surplus of $4.7 million.
"The figures we have received from the census top off a fantastic year for the AFL," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday.
"AFL football is growing and we're going to go harder next year.
"And when we release our strategic plan next February, I think you'll see a huge emphasis on accelerating that growth."
The major concern for the league was club finances, although this year there was a $14 million turnaround.
In 2002, the aggregate loss among clubs was $6 million, while clubs in 2003 were forecasting an aggregate profit in excess of $8 million.
"We would be very pleased if we had 16 profitable football clubs each year," Demetriou said.
"This year we've got five that are forecasting to make losses.
"It is tougher for our clubs to generate new revenue streams. They're all looking for ways to generate new revenue, the AFL is continuing its drive to find new revenue streams, so when we get to a situation when we've got 16 profitable clubs and that is consistent, we'd be very happy."
Figures showed the growth of the game was led by Queensland (25 per cent) and NSW (16 per cent), as well as traditional markets the Northern Territory (seven per cent) and Victoria (four per cent).
The popular Auskick program also increased 22 per cent to more than 120,000 children.
The umpiring fraternity also welcomed 2600 new members, further indicating the AFL's campaign to improve the image of umpiring, was succeeding, Demetriou said.