Mid-Season Member Update by President Peter Hodyl

Fellow Members and Supporters, I wish to provide this mid-season update to reinforce to all our progress to becoming the dominant force in the WAFL in the not too distant future. This has always been the ‘long game’ and we have been extremely diligent to ensure that we do not make the same mistakes of the past by searching for a short term fix.

Although our Men’s League team’s on field results have not met expectations so far in 2019, rest assured all at the club including Players, Coaches, Staff and Board are working tirelessly to improve this situation. Injuries were always going to have a significant effect on our results and losing two of our senior leaders early certainly did. This increased the workload on others, especially our developing players who now are expected to lead the way. They are progressing rapidly and are well in advance of where they probably should be and hopefully this holds us in good stead for future seasons. Narrow losses early to quality opposition showed that we are not far off even with a very inexperienced group. The club, as always, is working to address any shortfall in this area as we do in all other areas of the club.

On a positive note our Colts are sitting second and will again challenge come September. Our Reserves are equal fifth on percentage and our Women’s league team is sitting equal third. The entire club is in continual review to improve in all areas and although our community arm is progressing extremely well we are also very aware of the importance of success in our traditional football areas.

As you would all be aware, since our disastrous financial position of 2013, your club has been on a critical journey to ensure its survival. This has indeed hamstrung our ability to resource our football side in a way we would like to, however the resurrection of our clubs finances was an even greater challenge.

We are very proud of the fact we are still here fighting and the end of 2019 will see a significant opportunity to move on from the past as we aspire to have all debt finally wiped out and a positive bank balance for the first time in a very long time. Considering the extent of our dire financial position a short six years ago, it is a truly remarkable turn-around. If not for every part of the club, including Football, Members and Supporters putting in the extra effort this result would not have been possible. This however must be just the beginning as it is imperative we build significant cash reserves to ride out any bump that happens within football in WA.

The continued reshaping of how we do things clearly shows the importance and success of our community strategies which will ensure our relevance, survival and competitiveness. These strategies will enable the club to build long term success across all sections of our football club including all on field areas across all grades and teams. Our strategy is an enduring one that will not again succumb to the Boom and Bust scenarios of the past but ensure we are always around the mark and challenging for a Premiership every year.

Keep the Faith and our rewards will come! Go Swans.

Hodes

Peter Hodyl

President