President’s Message

In my October 2022 message to you I wrote about the work done by the Football Operations Review Group in providing a plan that will deliver the key outcomes of the Club’s football strategy. Some members have asked for some details of the plan and I’m happy to provide a broad outline of the plan’s major headings. Of course, there are many details which are confidential and which cannot be published. The football department has already begun the process of setting up procedures and systems to implement the recommended actions and will be reporting progress directly to the Board. An abridged version of the document is set out below so you can see the main areas of focus. It is aligned to the timeline of the already-published Strategic Plan which covers the period out to 2026.

Preparations for the 2023 season are well under way. There is a great feeling of anticipation around the Club, particularly in the ranks of the coaching staff. Senior Men’s Coach Adam Hartlett says, “I have been very happy with the commitment of the senior playing group thus far. The great thing about our senior group for 2023 is that we are young, motivated and eager to improve both individually and as a collective. We have made a focus on improving training habits and standards, having a holistic improvement in becoming fitter and stronger, all whilst implementing and educating our athletes on our game plan for the 2023 season. Lots of work to do but I cannot fault the group’s commitment so far. I firmly believe we are on the right track”. Our Senior Women’s Coach Bruce Dawes says, “After a tough past 12 months, the girls have taken to this preseason with a great positive attitude. The girls have been working extremely hard with many new structures and set-ups to learn. As it is only 5 weeks until round 1, we still have plenty to work on and try to settle on a team for our first game. The girls are making that extremely tough for the coaches, which is great. I really look forward to seeing some of our wonderful members come out to support the girls once our season starts”. Our newly-appointed U18 Coach Russell Godson is enthusiastic in his comments about the Club. He says, “Firstly I’d like to mention how welcoming the personnel within the Club have been which has made it an easier transition coming in from another club. Secondly in the short amount of time I’ve spent with the group I’ve been impressed with the on and off field behaviours of the playing and coaching groups, in particular how receptive the group has been to new training methods as well as their adaptability to execute on field. While there’s a lot of work to do, the early signs are the group has the right attitude to develop into better footballers and I expect the coaching staff will ably assist them on their journey”. And our U16 Coach Scott Patching enthusiastically states, “2023 shapes up to be an exciting year for the u16’s. We are looking forward to the continued development of players and coaches within our junior programs and welcome Michael Annesse and Andrew Hoskin from our Development Squad programs into the u16 coaching group as our forward and midfield line coaches. Having recently completed a whole of Club training session, and with our first ever U16 Riverland camp to look forward to, we are excited about growing our culture and embedding the Club values within the group. The coaching group are extremely pleased with the commitment shown by the squad already and are eager, as always, to see how much this committed group of young footballers can grow throughout season 2023”. The Club is providing as many resources as possible to our playing groups and coaching staff, including expert advice from Club legend Mark Mickan. We thank Mark for his time at the Club providing support to our young group as they prepare for the season ahead.

As you know, we need to generate really healthy revenue streams from non-football activities in order to be able to pay for footy. We have rarely ever seen the licenced club generate enough profit to cover the cost of our football operations, and the picture remains similar for the foreseeable future. Record low unemployment is a major macro trend which we’ve seen play out directly at the Club. Also, general inflation in the economy has had an impact on the Club, with food and beverage price increases, increases in the general cost of material and supplies as well as legislated wage increases this year. With the recent increases in interest rates, which we know will continue this year, we are very concerned about the impact this will have on available household income and the consequent ability of people to spend money at the Club. We have to work harder than ever to gain improvements, but I’m happy to say that we are starting to see increases in sales in the licenced club, with more events and functions being held. I thank Conny and her entire staff for the enormous effort in this area. This year the land divestment funds from the sale of Footy Park will not be received – that program has now run its course. So we are under severe pressure to generate alternative revenue sources, as well as to cut expenditure prudently. This is a major focus of the Board, and I ask all members to assist by supporting Club activities wherever possible, including renewing membership.

I wish to thank the management of SANFL who have recently provided valuable input into the planning for the upgrade of the oval precinct (the oval, the grandstand, the car parks and the oval perimeter) which is owned by Council. We are tenants of that whole precinct and Council intend doing a complete upgrade of the area, including a new grandstand with modern clubrooms, offices and community function facilities. It’s important that we keep pushing for this upgrade so we can deliver the very best experiences to players, staff, coaches, members and supporters. I know it’s been a very long process so far, but we must stay the course and keep working towards turning the Richmond facility into a destination of choice.

Preparations are currently in progress for the Annual General Meetings being held on 15^th of February. I look forward to seeing all members on that evening, but I encourage you to assist with seating plans by registering with the Club office if you intend being there.

This is the broad outline of the Football Operations Plan.

WAFC FOOTBALL OPERATIONS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE – MAIN HEADINGS

To achieve the key outcomes as defined in the Club’s strategic football plan.

Go Bloods!

Murray Forbes

President