Hawthorn Football Club has recorded a net operating profit of $3.33 million ($3,332,972) for the financial year ended 31 October 2015.
President Andrew Newbold attributed the strong financial result to the committed efforts of all involved at the Hawks. “As a club we are extremely fortunate to have the support of our loyal members and supporters, corporate partners and a united board and administration,” Newbold said.
“This year we broke the club’s membership record for the ninth consecutive season, which is a significant achievement and reinforces the incredible support and passion we receive from our fans.
“The club’s overall membership figure has increased by six per cent, which we wouldn’t be able to achieve without the support of our 8,947 Tasmanian members.”
“We have also managed to reduce our overall debt by $1.2m in 2015, which is a position everyone at the club should be proud of,” he said.
Newbold added that the announcement of the club’s conditional offer to purchase a 28 hectare site in Dingley was significant for the Foundation.
“Should it eventuate, the Dingley site will allow for the development of a world-class training and administrative facility which will provide greater prospects for members’ interaction, community engagement and future expansion.
The role the Foundation will play in partially funding the development will be significant, as the club is realistic about the financial challenges it will need to overcome before its vision of a world-class facility becomes a reality," Newbold said.
Key points of the report:
➢ Club net operating profit of $3,332,972 for year ended 31 October 2015 excluding a donation of $2 million;
➢ Achieved a record membership tally for the ninth consecutive season. 2015: 72,924 (2014: 68,650), including 8,947 Tasmanian members;
➢ Gross merchandise revenue exceeded $4.6m;
➢ Football department expenditure increased by 2%;
➢ Average attendance across seven Melbourne home games was 52,783 (2014: 49,572). Season highlights included the Easter Monday blockbuster v Geelong (73,584) and the Round 18 fixture v Richmond. The average attendance in Tasmania was 13,851;
➢ The Hawthorn Football Club Foundation holds a balance of $6,486,576 in cash and investments as at 31 October 2015. The club is delighted to announce a further contribution of $500,000 to the Foundation, which was paid in October 2015;
➢ The club recorded gross revenues of $70,986,527 (consolidated) and $56,536,544 (club);
➢ The club made a total of $1,349,107 in AFL equalisation payments (2014: $668,416).
The 113th Annual General Meeting of Hawthorn Football Club Limited (“club”) will be held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn on Thursday 10 December 2015. The meeting will commence at 7pm.
