Our club: the Board, corporate structure and governance

[bloodspirit]

I tried asking the question about the 'Transition Date' in tonight's webinar and they ignored it. Such a pity I wasn't ready to ask the question at the AGM. Oh well.

I've also emailed the club about it and live in hope they may (eventually) respond in a meaningful way.

[Mountain Man]

I wonder what is the contractual status of the Royal Hall of Industries (showboat pavilion at the Paddington show ground)?

The lease and redevelopment is now nearly 2 years on, and I wonder what the extent of contractual obligations are outstanding? Potentially these could be extensive unless there are 'force majeure' clauses which a major corporation would negotiate, but a not-for-profit and sport focused organisation might not have addressed. The Swans financial situation could be disastrous.

Further, if the soft cap for a football department is drastically reduced, then an enhanced training facility with provision for AFLW expansion and Sydney Swifts would be a luxury in the new stringent environment..

[Blood Fever]

I wonder what is the contractual status of the Royal Hall of Industries (showboat pavilion at the Paddington show ground)?

The lease and redevelopment is now nearly 2 years on, and I wonder what the extent of contractual obligations are outstanding? Potentially these could be extensive unless there are 'force majeure' clauses which a major corporation would negotiate, but a not-for-profit and sport focused organisation might not have addressed. The Swans financial situation could be disastrous.

Further, if the soft cap for a football department is drastically reduced, then an enhanced training facility with provision for AFLW expansion and Sydney Swifts would be a luxury in the new stringent environment..

Wonder what percentage of the cost of the development is down to the club compared to state government etc? I have no idea. Could be some saving grace?

[stevoswan]

I wonder what is the contractual status of the Royal Hall of Industries (showboat pavilion at the Paddington show ground)?

The lease and redevelopment is now nearly 2 years on, and I wonder what the extent of contractual obligations are outstanding? Potentially these could be extensive unless there are 'force majeure' clauses which a major corporation would negotiate, but a not-for-profit and sport focused organisation might not have addressed. The Swans financial situation could be disastrous.

Further, if the soft cap for a football department is drastically reduced, then an enhanced training facility with provision for AFLW expansion and Sydney Swifts would be a luxury in the new stringent environment..

Bar a state govt. bailout, I fear for the future of this development.

[Nico]

This is all good discussion, but the AFL in reality has total control of all 18 clubs via the licence agreement. The licence agreement covers all things such as colours, name, merchandise, logo, theme song and basically where and when you will play your games. So what a club has in its constitution matters for nothing if the AFL Licence agreement trumps it, which it does. Which is why there will never be a breakaway from the AFL because the AFL owns all the tangible rights to the clubs. If the "big 4" Vic clubs decided to break away and create another league, what would it mean Lets use Richmond as an example. They could not play games in another league as Richmond or the Tigers or wear yellow and black or use the club song or sell merchandise declaring themselves as 2019 premiers, or sell any merchandise that links themselves to the Richmond identity. In essence they would be playing in another league under a new name with a new identity, all the "traditions" built up over many years would remain the property of the AFL. No club wants to risk that.

And where is there a ground that could house that many supporters. As far as I can see the majority of supporters like things as they are. As long as they can go to a game or watch on the TV they are happy. Supporters love the game as it is apart from constant game day rule changes. They say so every week on SEN.

[Mel_C]

Bar a state govt. bailout, I fear for the future of this development.

Didn't we also get Federal government funding? I seem to recall some controversy during the announcement because the Liberal party candidate was at the press conference when they weren't the sitting member.

Regardless I hope the development can continue.

[Mountain Man]

What an impressive letter from the Chairman - RHI development gone

[707]

What an impressive letter from the Chairman - RHI development gone

+1 truly exceptional letter

[mcs]

What an impressive letter from the Chairman - RHI development gone

Class with a capital C.

Disappointing about the RHI development, but understandable - and I assume reading between the lines we were probably able to ditch that without too excessive costs associated with calling the project off. But I'd expect it will remain high on the agenda for when things, as far as they will, return to some resemblance of 'normal'. We will still need better facilities then what we want in time, but the survival of our magnificent footy club is clearly the A1 priority!

I was chuffed to see our wonderful foundation isn't being forgotten either - was so happy to see $2 million of donations in recent weeks. While my donations never get anywhere near significant, I always make a contribution each year towards the foundation, as for mine its every bit as important in building a strong footing for our club into the future - I want the future generations to be able to get as much joy from our Swannies as we currently do, so I feel its my duty to contribute a little. I haven't yet made my donation for this year, but will be doing it shortly - thankfully I'm in a position that I still will be able to continue on somewhere near 'business as usual', so want to do my bit to help secure our future through that mechanism as well

[Sandridge]

Brilliant letter from Pridham and great to see that people from the past who got our club to where it is now were named and recognised by him.

We have a great club - and it will continue to be great!

Go the mighty Bloods!

[GoRhino]

Leadership from a strong Chairman. A great Club, a long history .... we will survive!

[Blood Fever]

Brilliant letter from Pridham and great to see that people from the past who got our club to where it is now were named and recognised by him.

We have a great club - and it will continue to be great!

Go the mighty Bloods!

Very impressive and transparent.

[Aprilbr]

I asked our CEO, Harley, about progress on the new training facility around 4 weeks ago at his last Webinar. He was very upbeat and said that it was progressing well.

My how things have changed in a few weeks! I still think that a more modern training facility is critical for our long-term future. Hopefully it can be resurrected in the not too distant future.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[bloodspirit]

Fox Footy has reported about Melbourne FC Chairman Glen Bartlett speaking in a podcast (Deeluded):

According to Bartlett, Melbourne has the fourth best balance sheet in the competition.“I think 12 clubs are now assisted and there are only six that are unassisted and we know one of those six,” he said.“Whilst we work with the AFL and that‘s part of what we need to do, we are not so keen to have an administrative office situation where all your decisions, financial decisions are kind of out of your hands (so) you have to report.“You have to produce all these reports from these things in the past. We don‘t want to be in that world preferably. And it’s important, I think, for our supporters and mindset to be financially strong, and independent.”


Assuming that's accurate, I wonder what the Swans situation is?

[Mel_C]

Fox Footy has reported about Melbourne FC Chairman Glen Bartlett speaking in a podcast (Deeluded):

According to Bartlett, Melbourne has the fourth best balance sheet in the competition.“I think 12 clubs are now assisted and there are only six that are unassisted and we know one of those six,” he said.“Whilst we work with the AFL and that‘s part of what we need to do, we are not so keen to have an administrative office situation where all your decisions, financial decisions are kind of out of your hands (so) you have to report.“You have to produce all these reports from these things in the past. We don‘t want to be in that world preferably. And it’s important, I think, for our supporters and mindset to be financially strong, and independent.”


Assuming that's accurate, I wonder what the Swans situation is?

At the start of the season shutdown I recall either Harley or Pridham saying we would need assistance after 3 months. However, during the season it was mentioned that we were still unassisted due to a majority of members keeping their membership and not requesting refunds. I'm not sure what the situation is now that the season is over.