Cats chase record membership target of 70,000 for 2020 season
GEELONG has set an ambitious record membership target of 70,000 next year in a bid to build on an “outstanding” year of revenue growth.
The Cats have announced a net profit of $28,952 for the 2019 financial year on the back of membership growth, nine GMHBA Stadium games and key sponsorship.
The club’s operating profit before discontinued items, depreciation, amortisation and asset gains was $2.6 million.
“There are many factors that have contributed to this positive result,” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said.
“Having another strong season on-field, nine home games at GMHBA Stadium, membership growth and great support from our corporate partners were key to this result.
“We again had exceptional support from our members, with a record 66,768 passionate supporters signing on.
“We are anticipating a further increase in membership in 2020 to 70,000.”
The Cats spent $27.2 million putting out their men’s and women’s football teams, juggling the new costs of fielding an AFLW side for the first time.
Geelong also stepped away from gambling advertising and hopes to be out of the pokies game completely next year.
The club’s operating revenue increased by 7.2 per cent to $60.2 million, attributed to: THE Cats’ inaugural AFLW season and the team’s commercial partners in Ford, Deakin University and Viva Energy;
A MEMBERSHIP increase of 2 per cent;
AVERAGE AFL home attendance of 33,405;
NINE home games GMHBA Stadium; CONTINUED growth in the club’s hospitality business Higher Mark; and DEPRECIATION and amortisation expense of $3.39 million.
The results underline the club’s ongoing desperation to have at least nine and potenat tially all 11 home matches at GMHBA Stadium to cash in on the lucrative stadium deal.
Geelong’s strong on-field performances — making its third preliminary final in four seasons — also helped keep interest high.
“The club also continued to invest in its women’s football program, with the club enjoying a successful debut season in AFLW, making it through to the preliminary final and enjoying strong home crowds,” Cook said.
“We are also committed to making a significant and meaningful difference in our community. The club invested significantly into its community programs in 2019, including the opening of the sensory zone at GMHBA Stadium, a first in Australian sport.
“We will again focus on our community impact in 2020 and beyond.
“The club continued to work towards an exit from gaming, and also took the step this year of not accepting any revenue from gambling advertising.
“We expect a complete exit in the next year, which will enable the club to become debt free.”