2012 Football Club Chairman’S Report
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MANLY-WARRINGAH RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2012 FOOTBALL CLUB CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Going back to back in the NRL competition has proven too big a task for the defending Premiers each year since 1992, but I can proudly say that in 2012, Geoff Toovey and the boys gave it a red hot go. Despite a host of difficulties, including pre-season disruptions, travelling to the UK for the World Club Challenge, injuries, suspensions and off field distractions, the team, led by Co-Captains Jamie Lyon and Jason King, rallied together magnificently to finish in the Top 4, falling only one game short of another Grand Final appearance after defeat by eventual 2012 Premiers, the Melbourne Storm. Whilst we may not have achieved our ultimate goal of successfully defending our 2011 title, we should not lose sight of just how difficult it is to remain near the top of the NRL competition each year. Accordingly, we should all be extremely proud of what was still a very successful 2012 season for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In his first year as Head Coach, Geoff Toovey did a fantastic job despite a less than ideal preparation and I am sure he is itching to get into 2013, knowing the experience of his first year under his belt will stand him in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead. With the nucleus of the side being retained long term, particularly our young halves, Keiran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans, we can all be justifiably confident that a 9th premiership is well within our reach in coming seasons. I would like to congratulate Chief Operating Officer, David Perry and his team for the magnificent job they have done to give Geoff and the entire Football Department the resources they need to be successful, whilst also positioning the Club in a much improved financial position. In a challenging economic climate and ultra competitive Sydney sporting market, this is no easy task and the positive outcomes we have witnessed in 2012 across so many facets of the business are a testament to the commitment, tenacity and talent of the entire administration team. It is with great pleasure that the Football Club Board recommends the awarding of Life Membership at the 2012 AGM to local juniors, Anthony Watmough and Jason King. Both Choc and Kingy have played over 200 first grade games for the Sea Eagles and were key members of our 2008 and 2011 premiership winning sides. They are both clearly most deserving of this distinguished honour. During 2012, the Football Club was able to purchase more shares in the Sea Eagles, injecting much needed funds, thanks to the generosity of long time supporter, Anthony Johnston and his company, URM. Our heartfelt thanks go to Anthony for his support. The Football Club is committed to preserving the history and traditions of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and to protecting the rights (control of name, colours, home ground location and right to appoint 2 Directors) given to the Members under the Preference Share issued to the Football Club by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. To that end, your Football Club Board has developed a Position Statement that sets out the principles and goals that guide the actions and decisions of the Football Club in relation to the Preference Share and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles generally. In November, we launched the Football Club’s own website, www.manlyfootballclub.com.au, to provide an independent platform for the Football Club to communicate directly with its members. The Football Club’s Position Statement described above can be found on the website and we encourage all Members to visit the website and view those goals and guiding principles for yourself so that you might better understand our stance on various issues. Another feature of the new website is that it allows Football Club members to login to the membership section to manage their own membership online, including updating their address and contact details and paying their renewal online. Furthermore, in line with our goal of preserving the history and traditions of our great Club, our aim is to gradually develop the Football Club website into an online “virtual” museum of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. This will be a long term project over many years, but hopefully one that will bring much joy to Sea Eagles fans young and old and ensure that the history and heritage of our greatMW Club lives on forever. As always, the future of Brookvale Oval remains the key to the long term survival of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Club as we currently know it, and notwithstanding recent State Government announcements about Stadiums in NSW, the Football Club and the Sea Eagles are actively working closely with other stakeholders and continue to lobby all levelsFOOTBALL of Government for the CLUB funding Brookvale Oval deserves. This will continue to be a difficult fight, but one in which ultimately we must prevail and we trustEst. all Members 1947 will stand ready to support us as and when required. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Football Club Members and their families a Merry Christmas and safe and happy 2013. Bob Reilly Football Club Chairman FOOTBALL CLUB DIRECTORS 2012 CO-PATRONS Kerry Sibraa AO and Ken Arthurson AM Name Position Meetings Called Meetings Attended Bob REILLY Chairman 8 8 Philip DEAN Company Secretary 8 7 Peter BRYANT Director 8 7 Chris JONES Director 8 8 Rory MUSCAT Director 8 8 Peter PETERS Director 8 8 Bob STEVENSON Director 8 7 MANLY-WARRINGAH RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2012 2 1 LIFE MEMBERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S REPORT J L Munro* elected 1951 J A Tenison* elected 1973 R P Mossop* elected 1991 My first full year leading this great club has proven to be a challenging one, but I am happy to report that, despite the many C White* elected 1957 T P Burke elected 1974 R J Ritchie elected 1991 challenges both on and off the field, we have ended 2012 with another successful football result for the team and an improved D Stewart* elected 1958 J K Collins* elected 1974 W P O’Connell elected 1992 financial position for the Club off the field. G Ashton* elected 1959 F R Jones elected 1975 E W Whiley elected 1992 R E Hudson* elected 1960 F R Stanton elected 1977 W J Poole elected 1993 Whilst we were all disappointed with our final game of the 2012 season, Geoff Toovey, his coaching staff and all the players deserve R H Ryan* elected 1962 R Fulton AM elected 1978 P A Vautin elected 1993 enormous credit for the way in which they handled the difficulties associated with the disruptive impact of suspensions and an E R Bull* elected 1962 D O Joyce elected 1978 R Lenon elected 1994 unusually high level of injuries. It is testament to their collective skill, dedication and closeness that the team was able to perform G V Willoughby* elected 1964 M J Krilich elected 1982 R J Bull* elected 1997 so well throughout what was a very tough season. Backing up as defending Premiers is never an easy task. The 2013 playing E A Langford* elected 1965 T W Randall elected 1982 G O Thoroughgood elected 1997 roster is not yet completely finalised as we continue to manage salary cap challenges, but it is already clear that the recruiting J W Cameron* elected 1966 R H Higham* elected 1983 C P Lyons elected 1999 of 13 new faces into our overall squad has created an exciting vibe within the group and there is a great feeling of optimism and K R Arthurson AM elected 1967 G H Lenon elected 1983 D Hasler elected 2000 excitement for the coming season. D I Rae* elected 1967 G C Eadie elected 1983 G Toovey elected 2000 G M Houston elected 1968 A S Thompson elected 1984 P J Peters elected 2003 Off the field our staff worked tirelessly throughout the year to engage more effectively than ever before with our business partners, W H Lloyd* elected 1969 W W Lloyd elected 1985 K W Sibraa AO elected 2005 community partners, members and operational stakeholders. Our membership growth (comparing like for like) grew 21% over the R O Hudson elected 1970 J L Martin* elected 1985 P L Cummings elected 2006 previous year which compares very favourably against the average of all Clubs across the Competition of 1.55%. D J Daley* elected 1972 B R Seymour elected 1985 O J Cunningham elected 2007 J I Peebles elected 1972 E J Noffz* elected 1987 W Bulmer elected 2008 We introduced a more disciplined and systematic approach to engaging with our business partners - regular networking events, R W Batty* elected 1973 A G Keighran* elected 1989 S Menzies elected 2009 consistent email communications, customised sponsorship packages - and the benefits of this can already be seen with a record number of 2012 partners having already renewed for the 2013 season. Of course, the re-signing of our Naming Partner Kaspersky * Deceased Lab for a further 3 years was a huge positive for the Club and also a gratifying compliment to some of the changes we have made that aim to provide value for sponsors. I thank Kaspersky Lab for their loyalty and support and urge all Sea Eagles members and fans to support their products at every opportunity. Our involvement in the community has again been a highlight in 2012 with our work in supporting improved literacy outcomes VALE ROBERT HIGHAM being widely recognised and praised.