MARCH 2015 CLAREMONT FOOTBALL CLUB TIGER TALK WHAT’SWHAT’SWHAT’S INSIDEINSIDEINSIDE HORSINGTON MAISTER BUSHER SWIFT BACK READY FOR BACK TO SEES THE IN THE FAST THE WHERE IT LIGHT LANE CHALLENGE ALL BEGAN WELCOME TO OUR NEW MAJOR SPONSOR TITAN TYRES, WHEELS AND TRACKS - Photo courtesy West Australian Newspapers PRESIDENT’S REPORT I am very happy to report that the development I again highlight the importance of buying a paver of the club’s new premises in Davies Road, under and membership for life. Not only are you buying the stewardship of Denis Marshall, is in the final a piece of history, but you are supporting the club stages of negotiations and hopefully the building in its hour of need. The people I appeal to most will start in March this year. are the past players. One important area I wish to discuss is the funding Now is the time to take up our special offer of WAFL clubs. I can assure you that funding from of: Large paver $1195, which entitles you the top down (WAFC, AFL and State Government) to purchase membership for life. The first is shrinking. This has started with the reduction of membership for life will cost $500 and the second payments to clubs for AFL drafted players. will cost $300. A small paver costs $295, which entitles you to become a member for life for $500. This loss of income must be replaced by bottom- Past players are entitled to pay $295 for a small up funding from the parents of players within the paver, plus a membership for life for $400. district, supporters and sponsors of the Claremont Football Club and the broader community within We need your support now. But I can assure you our district. when we return to Davies Road and our new premises we will be far more financially secure I believe the CFC board fully understands what is and as a Tigers member you will be able to walk required to ensure that we remain the No. 1 club tall knowing that you have contributed to what will in the competition. We have started documenting be a wonderful development and an asset to the our vision for the future and I will keep members community. informed as we progress. I can assure you that this will not be an easy or quick task. Best wishes, The additional costs and lack of income by playing away from (at the Showgrounds) is $250,000 per Kevin Somes year. The Showgrounds will be our headquarters The year of 2015 promises to be exciting both on in 2014 and 2015 and, hopefully, only part of PRESIDENT and off the field. 2016. To help offset the cost of playing at the Showgrounds I urge you all to dig deep and We have put together a great team under our support our home matches and all our functions senior coach Michael Broadbridge and captain and fund-raising events. Jake Murphy, who will ensure the club is competitive in all grades. 2 | Claremont Football Club HORSINGTON READY FOR “There is so much for everyone to look forward to “An area in which we can improve financially is and I think we are on the right track, particularly with the gate on game days at the Showgrounds. THE CHALLENGE regarding the quality of players we have been able Last year, with so many entry points into a facility to attract over the years. You don’t get the type with which we haven’t got a lot of control over By Ken Casellas of quality players we’ve had if you haven’t got a was really tough. We are now working with the good reputation. Claremont is renowned for having RAS to erect a perimeter fence around the oval a good culture and the players love the club and and have only two entry points.” feed off that.” Horsington reports that K Mart and KC Sports The 41-year-old Victorian-born Horsington took will continue as sponsors of Claremont in 2015 over as CEO in December, taking over from Todd and he paid tribute to Coles and Target for being Shimmon, who had served the club diligently for such outstanding major sponsors over the past 27 years in a variety of roles for 27 years, the three years. Not all sponsors have been signed, past 14 as general manager and CEO. but a most welcome new sponsor is All Flags, a company which Horsington says will help “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’ve found certain Claremont in the club’s visual merchandise area. things challenging … there always are in these roles,” he said. “I also must say that I’m excited “KC Sports have upped their support,” Horsington and rejuvenated and looking forward to the year. said. “They have been fantastic wholesalers for us and we look forward to strengthening our “Obviously there’s a lot going on, being away from relationship with them. Gone are the days of Claremont Oval. I think the biggest thing is when sponsorship; we like to think of sponsors more you are paying a large amount of rent in a home in terms of a partnership in which we can work which is not yours and trying also to generate an together to get an outcome for each party.” income makes it really tough. I’m under no illusion that my job will be easy and that it will be a bit of Horsington, who is married to Vanessa and has a roller coaster ride, and nothing will come as a Amy (ten) and Zoe (seven) to keep him on his toes surprise. when he is at home, fell in love with Perth when Claremont’s new Chief Executive Officer Dean he travelled west with five mates in 1998 for a Horsington can’t wait for the 2015 season to get “That is the attitude I’m taking into this role. One two-week holiday. “I loved the place so much that under way. He has moved smoothly into his new thing I hope to achieve is to make Claremont a I applied for, and gained, a transfer with my job role with a positive attitude, declaring “there are profitable club, strong on the field and strong off with an optical company.” big things ahead of us, both on the field and off the field. the field, with the building of new club premises at Horsington then started his association with “No doubt this will be a tough year, but the Claremont Oval.” Claremont in March 2006, as a district manager bonuses we have is that we have a virtually before moving into the football manager’s role in Horsington also is excited at the signing of the new facility upstairs, with the whole bar area 2009. Claremont Football Club’s new major sponsor, air-conditioned and renovated. The balcony, with Titan: Tyres, Wheels, Tracks. prime seating, is now available after being out of “I feel I know the culture of the club and there are bounds last year. a lot of great people around the club,” he said. “Titan have come on board for two years and “It’s a great club and I certainly don’t make out have a fantastic attitude,” he said. “They want to “That and other things were beyond our control that I own the club. I see myself as a custodian make our club part of them; they are going to help in 2014. A lot of those things have improved, of the club and hope to leave it in a good place us with things outside the cash component; they through the help of the Royal Agricultural Society. whenever I move on, or whatever happens in the want to help make the Showgrounds a wonderful We have been closely with the RAS and enjoy a future.” facility, a ground where people want to come to. close relationship. Take your seat ... 2015 Memberships now available Call CFC on 93849200 www.claremontfc.com Tiger Talk 2015 | 3 TIGERS AIMING FOR A year. Hopefully, this will result in a better start. It “We’ve done a combination and have been won’t be easy, with our first three games (against fortunate to get Beau Maister, Ian Richardson BETTER START Subiaco, South Fremantle and East Fremantle) and Tom Swift back to the club. That’s as good away from home. They are all tough opponents an experienced set you could get to replace and it’s definitely a challenging start to the season. those retired players. And I expect to see some of our graduating colts to play well and give us Looking at what you are aiming at getting from the a bit of spark. We’ve also brought in a couple of pre-season, it’s about the development and fitness Victorians, and one in particular who should have of the players and refining the way you play. We an immediate impact. are definitely ahead in developing the skills of the players and the game plans. I am confident in We’ve got a bit of a change with our coaching saying that we are 15 to 20 per cent improved panel, with Des Headland and Mike Fountain across all facets of conditioning and fitness. And moving on. Andrew Browne has joined the panel that’s a real bonus. and he’s a great acquisition whop has taken to coaching like a duck to water. He’s been terrific The guys have really embraced playing at the and will be looking after the midfield group.