The Western Bulldogs Football Club has announced an operating profit of $3,641,018 for the year ended 31 October 2016. It is the third consecutive year of profit for the Club.
The Club’s total revenue rose to a record $48.4 million, surpassing last year’s previous record of $41.3m.
The Club’s net debt reduced from $8.3m to $1.9m in the 12 month period.
The Club has this year taken a $1.9m impairment charge against the value of gaming entitlements acquired in 2009 for the discontinued Edgewater project, resulting in a statutory profit of $1,773,324.
Total membership for 2016 reached a record 40,081 members. Membership, social club waiting list and reserved seat sales are all tracking at record levels for season 2017.
DOWNLOAD THE FINANCIAL REPORTS: Click here to download and read the Western Bulldogs' 2016 Financial Reports.
The Club continued to grow its engagement, investment and support in community activities in the Western Region (including Ballarat), with a record 1,100 men participating in our Sons of the West Men’s Health program, as well as assisting in excess of 1,000 newly arrived adult migrants and refugees through our Ready, Settle, Go program and other programs.
The Club also won the 2016 AFL Premiership, VFL Premiership and the women’s competition Hampson-Hardeman Cup; and earned one of the inaugural licences in the AFLW competition to commence in 2017.
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Officer Gary Kent said the Club was pleased with the 2016 financial results.
“We’re really proud of the progress our Club has made over the past few years, in all areas both on and off the field,” Kent said.
“Winning the 2016 AFL Premiership was a significant contributor to our financial results, but we are also pleased that the Club’s underlying business showed strong growth with commercial partnerships, membership, merchandise, fundraising and hospitality venues all performing strongly throughout the whole year.”
“The Club also saw record growth in game attendance, digital platforms and with 23.5m TV viewers the Western Bulldogs were the most watched sporting team in Australia.”
The Western Bulldogs Board thanked players, staff and all members and supporters for their roles in this season’s results on and off the field, and outlined key elements of the Club’s aspiration to grow and consolidate its position next year.
They are:
- The successful introduction of our AFL women’s team,
- The successful commencement of Ballarat home games at Eureka Stadium,
- The negotiation of a fair stadium agreement at Etihad Stadium,
- The Club’s continuing commitment to our community through the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation,
- Continuing focus on developing our historic home the Victoria University Whitten Oval as a vibrant community hub and prime venue to showcase VFL and women’s football,
- Continued progress on and off the field.
The Club’s Board also acknowledges at this time the retirement from the Board of its Vice President and long serving director Susan Alberti. Susan retires after an outstanding record of service to the Club, to women’s football and to football in general.
DOWNLOAD THE FINANCIAL REPORTS: Click here to download and read the Western Bulldogs' 2016 Financial Reports.
