Cats on track for record 60,000 members

GEELONG has attributed its membership surge to two extra home games at GMHBA Stadium and the return of Gary Ablett.

The Cats are sitting on 43,000 members, about 4000 up on the same time last year as they zero in on a record target of 60,000.

“I did say a few months ago (Ablett’s return) could improve our figures by 5000 (mem- bers),” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said. “I reckon a combination of nine (home) games, and Gary Ablett, plus a few other tactical and strategic things have helped.

“There’s three or four key strategies we were targeting, including our members and ex-members. I think we’ll get to 60,000.”

Geelong will play nine games at Kardinia Park next year for the first time since 1999, an increase the Cats hope will help generate revenue to help replace dollars lost through a reduction in reliance on poker machines.

Geelong made $1.1 million from gaming in the past year, down $3m on five years ago.

The Cats are looking at non-traditional streams to replace the shortfall, including philanthropic donations and are investigating the potential of eSports, a form of multiplayer video game competitions.

“There’s no doubt gaming (pokies) activity doesn’t fit into our purpose or our vision ... but at the same time it’s difficult to live without (the revenue),” Cook said. “So we’ve made that decision to rely less on it ... with a view to probably being out of gaming by 2020.”