Here is the letter sent to all club
members.
send corrections to Peter Wong
Friday, 4 September 1998
I am pleased to announce that the AFL has accepted in principle the key components of our fixturing/membership proposal. Allow me to share with you the facts and reasoning behind decisions your Board of Directors are making on your behalf.
However, before relaying the facts, let me share with you the Board's visions for the future of your Club. These form the basis for the Club's decision making.
1. The Best People
a) to have the best structure to
gain success and long term viability for our members
b) to provide opportunities for career development for players
and staff
2. Sustainable on field success through
a) ensuring we have the best
football structure and providing the personnel with the resources
to remain ahead of the competition
b) competitive player list
c) ability to develop player youth
d) key staff contracting
e) player facilities upgrade
f) senior management assistance to ensure AFL players'
rules/collective bargaining are negotiated in the best interests
in the development of our code
g) finance to pay our players with the best in the competition
3. Financial viability
a) strong financial management
b) social club support to football finances
4. Quality facilities - a pride in our workplace
5. High Attractiveness to
a) sponsors - through excellent
customer service
b) players, staff - care and interest attitude
c) supporters - customer service, understanding their dreams,
ensuring our heritage, ensuring the future
d) the community at large - responsibilities of a regional and
national sporting club, role models, Communications Department
6. A broad supporter base with commitment to retain this support during downturns in onfield success
Your administration is working tirelessly to realise all of these visions and has
many plans in place. Out Achilles heel remains the need to broaden our supporter base.
Whilst there has been:
... we are still vulnerable, particularly if we experience a downturn on the field. Therefore, it is imperative that we embrace and entice new markets.
As an AFL club with limited resources, but an increasing supporter base, your Board has had to continually plan for the future and take a bold approach.
We view the broadening of our supporter base, as the single most important initiative we can take to ensure we meet our commitment to you. We understand your hopes and dreams for our Club and seek your trust in us to deliver.
Without the continued growth of our supporter base we will struggle to meet our commitments and maintain our standing as the most competitive team in the AFL.
After much deliberation, we presented to the AFL Commission a proposal that gives our Club a mix of games around Australia. Not only does this formula satisfy our members' needs, but also gives us the best opportunity for a vibrant future. The proposal presented by the AFL is:
The AFL is now in the process of formulating a draw for season 1999 that includes the key components mentioned above.
The proposal will give the Club new markets in which to increase membership and sponsorship. Gate receipt increases alone will give us the impetus we need to meet the rapidly growing commitments in the National Competition.
The breakdown of the 11 home and 11 away game mindset and concentration of our games at two venues will also give our team a significant home ground advantage, ie: approximately 20 games at two venues.
The move is bold, but a win/win situation for all our members. Indeed, it will ensure we stay a thriving Melbourne-based national Club.
Facilities at Arden Street
Firstly, my heartfelt thanks to all of those who have contributed to the Casey Building Foundation. When you witness the conditions that players and staff alike work under, you will further appreciate the outstanding commitment all have to the Club. Put simply, the present conditions are archaic.
The good news is we have moved a number of steps closer in finalising the rebuilding of both player facilities and office accommodation. The Melbourne City Council will shortly decide upon the level of contribution for the community and shared facilities on the block, enabling us to commence the refurbishment.
I am sure the players will be most grateful for a new gymnasium, and changing rooms.
Membership
We should all be proud of our 1998 membership, the official figure at closing date - 20,166 - a magnificent total. To all those who have rejoined, thank you and to 3,500 new members, welcome. Enjoy your involvement and I trust we can bring home the 1998 premiership in your first year.
To those members who assisted in our "member get a member" campaign, a big thank you. You are our 'agents' in the field, targeting all of those North supporters that we can not talk to in person.
Tribunal
The decision and indeed sentence imposed upon Jason McCartney was most disappointing to us all. Jason was committed to spoil and whilst he was untidy, three weeks was a severe penalty. We took the case to appeal but unfortunately, it was not a new hearing in the true sense of the word. The transcript of the previous hearing was readily used and the panel upheld the previous tribunal's decision.
The Glenn Archer suspension was again particularly disappointing. Given the current legal ramifications whereby 'intent' does not have to be shown, a careless and reckless act is considered sufficient to suspend. In this respect, the player that is attacking the ball on all occasions is disadvantaged under the current tribunal rules, as he is closer to the action.
Player Contracts
You will be pleased to know arrangements have been made with Byron Pickett for a further two years, while we are currently working with Ricky Nixon, Wayne Carey's Manager, on an extension on the current agreement. Wayne approached the Club looking to secure his football future with us through to the end of his playing days. I am sure we all hope that this will be between eight and 10 years from now.
typed in by Peter Wong