The never ending No AFL in the SANFL whinge thread

[VALE PARK]

Which radio station is covering the games?

[Reddeer]

Which radio station is covering the games?

Probably none due to lack of interest in the comp that is confirmed by SANFL itself

[Wedgie]

From the Messenger:

"Struggling Eagles call for rent and power bailout"

RENT and utility costs will be slashed under a Charles Sturt Council move to keep the struggling Woodville West Torrens Football Club afloat.

The council’s corporate services committee voted at its meeting this week to reduce the SANFL club’s rent for the Oval Ave complex from $75,000 a year to $60,000.

The committee also voted to grant the Eagles a five-year lease — down from its usual 10-year agreement — and pay utility costs for the Barry Jarman Stand, which last year amounted to $8000.

Its recommendation — which will go for final approval at the council’s full meeting later this month — would also cover the club’s $8700 building contribution costs for the next five years.

Eagles’ chairman Kurt Slaven and general manager Chris Branson told the meeting the club’s struggling financial situation meant football programs would likely be cut if the council did not agree to the reduction in costs.

The club — formed in 1991 by the merger of the Woodville Woodpeckers and West Torrens Eagles — posted a $147,364 profit last year but Mr Branson said this was due to “unique income streams” which totalled $190,000.

Mr Slaven and Mr Branson also argued spectator numbers for the club — which has played in 10 of the last 27 SANFL grand finals — had fallen from 4000 in 2012 to 1500 last year.

“We have a lower membership base than most clubs, with an average age of 56 for our members and our supporter spending patterns are lower,” Mr Branson said.

“The electricity costs for both venues have increased by $30,000 since January last year and what we have tried to do is reduce spending in our football department by $410,000 since 2013.
“We have also invested in a full-time events manager to bring more events to the club.”

Mayor Angela Evans backed cutting the club’s costs but criticised the fact that the club spent $430,000 on 53 Eagles players.

“I actually don’t think that Woodville West Torrens Football Club is poor, not when it is paying up to $430,000 across 53 players,” Ms Evans said.

“I accept the priority is to protect their players, and they have explained some very good reasons why and I can’t argue with that.
“They have also chosen to risk the sustainability of their community service programs if they find themselves stretched, that’s the reality of it.

“Despite all of the complexities of this, the club in the last 12 months has made a bit of a profit which is a really good thing and it speaks to the club’s commitment to become sustainable.”

West Woodville Ward’s Cr Tolley Wasylenko said the council “owed it to our city” to give the Oval Ave-based club some help.

“We have heard tonight about what differences this can make it a club,” Cr Wasylenko told the meeting.

“(It) is the only SANFL club in our city since we lost the Crows and this club means a lot to this city.

“We know that sports clubs build cities through health and all the other benefits that come along with it.”

After the meeting Mr Branson said the outcome was “fair” and would give the club some certainty over the next five years.

“It is a pretty balanced outcome as it was somewhere between what we were paying and what we wanted,” Mr Branson said.

The club had asked the council for a rent reduction to $40,000 in November, but the council voted to defer a decision until more questions were answered about its costs.

The push will go to a final vote at this month’s council meeting on Monday, February 12.

[Rising Power]

From the Messenger:

"Struggling Eagles call for rent and power bailout"

RENT and utility costs will be slashed under a Charles Sturt Council move to keep the struggling Woodville West Torrens Football Club afloat.

The council’s corporate services committee voted at its meeting this week to reduce the SANFL club’s rent for the Oval Ave complex from $75,000 a year to $60,000.

The committee also voted to grant the Eagles a five-year lease — down from its usual 10-year agreement — and pay utility costs for the Barry Jarman Stand, which last year amounted to $8000.

Its recommendation — which will go for final approval at the council’s full meeting later this month — would also cover the club’s $8700 building contribution costs for the next five years.

Eagles’ chairman Kurt Slaven and general manager Chris Branson told the meeting the club’s struggling financial situation meant football programs would likely be cut if the council did not agree to the reduction in costs.

The club — formed in 1991 by the merger of the Woodville Woodpeckers and West Torrens Eagles — posted a $147,364 profit last year but Mr Branson said this was due to “unique income streams” which totalled $190,000.

Mr Slaven and Mr Branson also argued spectator numbers for the club — which has played in 10 of the last 27 SANFL grand finals — had fallen from 4000 in 2012 to 1500 last year.

“We have a lower membership base than most clubs, with an average age of 56 for our members and our supporter spending patterns are lower,” Mr Branson said.

“The electricity costs for both venues have increased by $30,000 since January last year and what we have tried to do is reduce spending in our football department by $410,000 since 2013.
“We have also invested in a full-time events manager to bring more events to the club.”

Mayor Angela Evans backed cutting the club’s costs but criticised the fact that the club spent $430,000 on 53 Eagles players.

“I actually don’t think that Woodville West Torrens Football Club is poor, not when it is paying up to $430,000 across 53 players,” Ms Evans said.

“I accept the priority is to protect their players, and they have explained some very good reasons why and I can’t argue with that.
“They have also chosen to risk the sustainability of their community service programs if they find themselves stretched, that’s the reality of it.

“Despite all of the complexities of this, the club in the last 12 months has made a bit of a profit which is a really good thing and it speaks to the club’s commitment to become sustainable.”

West Woodville Ward’s Cr Tolley Wasylenko said the council “owed it to our city” to give the Oval Ave-based club some help.

“We have heard tonight about what differences this can make it a club,” Cr Wasylenko told the meeting.

“(It) is the only SANFL club in our city since we lost the Crows and this club means a lot to this city.

“We know that sports clubs build cities through health and all the other benefits that come along with it.”

After the meeting Mr Branson said the outcome was “fair” and would give the club some certainty over the next five years.

“It is a pretty balanced outcome as it was somewhere between what we were paying and what we wanted,” Mr Branson said.

The club had asked the council for a rent reduction to $40,000 in November, but the council voted to defer a decision until more questions were answered about its costs.

The push will go to a final vote at this month’s council meeting on Monday, February 12.

Correlation with AFL reserves in the SANFL?

[saintal]

[

Correlation with AFL reserves in the SANFL?

Dwindling attendances and membership doesn't help the situation, as pointed out by Slaven (who was a vocal advocate for their inclusion) in the article.

[Booney]

We have a lower membership base than most clubs, with an average age of 56 for our members and our supporter spending patterns are lower,” Mr Branson said.

A reflection of the western suburbs right there, be interesting to see Westies average members age, would be at least this or higher I'd say.

This does not auger well for the Eagles, it's literally a dying supporter base that they have there and getting kids involved in the SANFL who will eventually become paying members when they have their own disposable income will be near impossible, certainly having them choose the SANFL over the AFL or other sports that is.

15 year old's right now will most likely spend their entertainment dollar elsewhere in 5-10 years time as they won't have the SANFL indoctrinated into them.

[amber_fluid]

We have a lower membership base than most clubs, with an average age of 56 for our members and our supporter spending patterns are lower,” Mr Branson said.

A reflection of the western suburbs right there, be interesting to see Westies average members age, would be at least this or higher I'd say.

This does not auger well for the Eagles, it's literally a dying supporter base that they have there and getting kids involved in the SANFL who will eventually become paying members when they have their own disposable income will be near impossible, certainly having them choose the SANFL over the AFL or other sports that is.

15 year old's right now will most likely spend their entertainment dollar elsewhere in 5-10 years time as they won't have the SANFL indoctrinated into them.

Unfortunately I don’t think there will be an SANFL in 5-10 years time.
As sad as that is.

[MW]

They will be swallowed by the amateur leagues. Inevitable.

[heater31]

How is the gall of the Charles Sturt Mayor to have a crack at the Eagles for spending money on players! Hint lady they dont train 2 hours a night 3 nights a week for free [emoji44]

[westcoastpanther]

Isn't the salary cap $380,000 or something like that?

[Wedgie]

Isn't the salary cap $380,000 or something like that?

In fairness the Eagles GM said 410k for the entire footy department, it was the council person that said 430k for the players only.

[DOC]

They have tried to reduce the spending by $430,000 since 2013. There spend is over a million, like most clubs.

[Dogmatic]

Mayor Angela Evans backed cutting the club’s costs but criticised the fact that the club spent $430,000 on 53 Eagles players.

I hope she looks at the councils expenditure through the same set of glasses.

[DOC]

Imagine what she would have said if she knew what they offered Brett Edey?

[therisingblues]

Mr Slaven and Mr Branson also argued spectator numbers for the club — which has played in 10 of the last 27 SANFL grand finals — had fallen from 4000 in 2012 to 1500 last year.

Incredible drop.
There's a lot of Crows supporters amongst the Eagles brethren.
How clear does it need to be that the Crows reserves in the SANFL is doing a very good job of killing off our beloved league?

[Reddeer]

Mr Slaven and Mr Branson also argued spectator numbers for the club — which has played in 10 of the last 27 SANFL grand finals — had fallen from 4000 in 2012 to 1500 last year.

Incredible drop.
There's a lot of Crows supporters amongst the Eagles brethren.
How clear does it need to be that the Crows reserves in the SANFL is doing a very good job of killing off our beloved league?

We tried to tell them so BUT they would not listen

[DOC]

Indeed. You would have to be mad to vote them in and madder to re elect the same boards.

[PatowalongaPirate]

Would the ravens be looking to usurp the Eagles and make Woodville a home?

I do not want this to happen by the way.

[DOC]

I am fairly sure they are keen to move to the city.

[Dutchy]

Would the ravens be looking to usurp the Eagles and make Woodville a home?

I do not want this to happen by the way.

They would want the cricket club out as well.