SANFL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting of the South Australian National Football League was held at AAMI Stadium this evening.
President Rod Payze and Commissioner Dion McCaffrie were appointed for a further 3 year term whilst Peter Carey OAM joins the Commission following the retirement of Vice President, John Halbert MBE.
SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker presented the results from 2007 including the SANFL’s twenty-third consecutive year of achieving budget, he said.
“The SANFL remains in a very healthy position generating almost $44 million in revenue with SANFL net assets sitting at $124 million,” Mr Whicker said.
“I am delighted with the health of our game in South Australia and wish to acknowledge the support of our stakeholders from the State Government and AFL right through the thousands of participants and volunteers across the State.”
SANFL President Rod Payze praised the Commission and the SANFL Clubs for their efforts in again reinforcing the SANFL’s position as the Nation’s premier State League competition, he said.
“2007 started on a high note with the highest opening round attendance in more than a decade and finished with the highest major round attendance since 2002,” Mr Payze said.
“On behalf of the League I wish to congratulate Central District on winning another League Premiership and also acknowledge North Adelaide’s achievement in reaching its first Grand Final since 1989 <edit by Wedgie -WTF? We must have been good in 91 to win the flag without making the GF!
>and the performances of the resurgent Sturt and Glenelg Football Clubs.”Some key highlights from 2007 include:
• $43.9 million in SANFL revenue ($96.3 million in group revenue SANFL, AFC and PAFC);
• $124 million in SANFL net assets ($155 million in group net assets SANFL, AFC and PAFC);
• Total SANFL spectator numbers up 4.2% to over 323,000;
• 1.4 million people watched the SANFL League competition on the ABC;
• The largest major round attendance since 2002 – up 18.4% from 2006 including an attendance of over 30,400 for the SANFL ‘be active’ Grand Final;
• State Government committed to a further $9 million for AAMI Stadium upgrades;
• The purchase of the Max Basheer Reserve from the State Government was completed;
• 3.2% increase in development grants totalling over $4.5 million to the nine SANFL Clubs ;
• The SANFL was placed at 49th position in the “Top 100 SA Companies Index”;
• An additional $150,000 from the League’s 2007 surplus committed to the Community Facilities Fund (established in 2006);
• The establishment of a new Game Development department; and
• The commencement of a three year program for indigenous children in the APY Lands.
COMMISSION APPOINTMENT & REAPPOINTMENTS
ROD PAYZE
• SANFL President 2003 – present
• SA Football Commissioner Chairman 2003 – present
• SANFL Vice President 2001 – 2003
• SA Football Commission Deputy Chairman 2001 – 2003
• SANFL Boundaries Commission Chairman 1996
• West Torrens FC Chairman of Selection Committee 1979
• Chairman of the League Selection Committee 1971
• 84 games for West Torrens FC 1960 – 1966
DION McCAFFRIE
• SA Football Commissioner 2004 – present
• Chairman of SANFL Game Development Council 2007 – present
• Chairman of SANFL Game Development Innovations Committee 2007 – present
• Chairman of SANFL Football Development Foundation 2006
• President of West Adelaide Football Club 1994 – 2004
• Chairman of West Adelaide Football Club 1993
• West Adelaide Football Club Management Committee 1991 – 1993
• Member of SANFL Boundaries Commission 1990
• SANFL Life Membership 2005
PETER CAREY OAM
• State Manager (SA) for Coca-Cola Amatil 2007 – present
• State Manager (TAS) for Coca-Cola Amatil 2002 – 2007
• Glenelg Football Club Selection Committee 1996, 1998-99 & 2000
• Glenelg Football Club Board Member 1997 – 2000
• 448 games and 521 goals for Glenelg Football Club 1971 – 1988
• Captain of Glenelg Football Club 1983 – 1988
• Awarded OAM 1989
• 19 matches for South Australia
WEST END CLUB OF THE YEAR
The West End Club of the Year Award recognises the achievements and success of the most outstanding SANFL Club. All Clubs are judged on both their on and off field performances against a range of benchmarking standards such as consolidated club profits, club memberships, home match attendances and on field success.
Central District Football Club won the 2007 Award, an outstanding achievement to top off a great year on field. Sturt Football Club came in at second place, and also took out the award for ‘Most Improved Club’ following an outstanding on field performance as well as featuring strongly in the Junior Award winners (Tomkins & McCallum Medallists) for season 2007.
The Eagles and North Adelaide also did very well, finishing narrowly behind Sturt to take third and fourth positions consecutively.
The SANFL thanks West End for their sponsorship of this Award.
SANFL LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Five recipients received SANFL Life Membership and acknowledgement during formalities of the AGM Dinner. League Life Memberships were awarded to Greg Boulton, David Shipway and Peter Woite for their longstanding contribution and service to football. Player Life Memberships were awarded to Mark Clayton and Scott Bamford.
GREG BOULTON (League Life Member)
• Port Adelaide FC President (AFL) 1996 – present
• Port Adelaide FC President (SANFL) 1992 – 1996
• SANFL League Director 1990
• Port Adelaide FC Board (Finance Director) 1990
• Port Adelaide FC Board (Membership Director) 1988
• Port Adelaide FC Vice President (SANFL) 1982 – 1986
DAVID SHIPWAY (League Life Member)
• SA Football Commissioner 1997 – present
• Affiliated Leagues Council Chairman 2006 – present
• SA Football Commission Salary Cap Sub-Committee 1997 – present
• SANFL Community Facility Fund Committee 2007 – present
• West Adelaide FC President 1990 – 1994
• West Adelaide FC Chairman 1988 – 1989
• West Adelaide FC Board Member 1984 – 1994
PETER WOITE (League Life Member)
• SANFL Drug & Disciplinary Committee 2003 – present
• SANFL Tribunal Commissioner 1993 – present
• State League Selector / Team Manager 1996
• 201 games for Port Adelaide FC & Glenelg FC 1969 – 1980
• Magarey Medallist 1975
MARK CLAYTON (Player Life Member)
• 215 games & 96 goals for Port Adelaide Magpies FC 1997 – present
• Port Adelaide Magpies FC Captain 2006 – present
• 1 game for South Australia 2006
• Port Adelaide Magpies FC Premiership 1999
• Port Adelaide Magpies FC Life Member 2005
• Port Adelaide Magpies FC Most Courageous & Dedicated 1997, 1999, 2002 & 2005
• Port Adelaide Magpies FC Most Dedicated 2000, 2003 & 2006
SCOTT BAMFORD (Player Life Member)
• 201 games & 160 goals for North Adelaide FC 1993 – 1995 & 2000 – 2007
• 59 games with Fitzroy, Brisbane FC & Geelong GF 1996 – 1999
• North Adelaide FC Life Member 2005
200 CLUB ‘be active’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND RO SHEARMAN MEDALLIST
North Adelaide utility and 2007 Magarey Medallist, James Allan, was awarded the 200 Club ‘be active’ Star Player of the Year Award and RO Shearman Medal. This award was judged by members of the SANFL’s 200 Club. James was presented with his medal and prize cheque at last year’s Magarey Medal Presentation Dinner, by Fran Shearman.
2007 SANFL YEAR IN REVIEW
Attendance & TV Viewing
SANFL attendances increased by 4.2% in 2007 as 322,835 fans attended League matches. The twoyear compound growth of 6.5% in SANFL attendances is clearly indicative that the competition is enjoying renewed popularity and interest and it is a trend line we expect to continue.
The 2007 SANFL Grand Final drew a crowd of 30,400 people to AAMI Stadium – a result far stronger than any of the other State Leagues and comparable with crowds for many AFL matches.
ABC TV’s weekly television broadcast of the SANFL match of the round attracted a metropolitan and regional viewing audience of 1.415 million people during the 2007 season. This is a very pleasing result particularly given the number of direct broadcast clashes against AFL matches beamed into Adelaide homes and the strong numbers participating in their own sports on Saturday afternoons.
SANFL Season Launch
‘League Footy‘…. The SANFL kicked off the 2007 season at the Adelaide University Oval with the SANFL Coaches taking on ‘Team Media’ in an entertaining and fun match where both teams tried to gain the upper hand on the footy field. School children from across Adelaide came decked out in their favourite Club colours to cheer on the teams with the support of the SANFL Club mascots.
Anzac Day Clash & Bob Quinn Medallist
The reining Premiers, Woodville-West Torrens, hosted Central District at Thebarton Oval. Still seething from their 2006 Grand Final loss, Central District came out strong to record an 82 point win.
Chris Gowans was awarded the Bob Quinn Medal for his best on ground performance in the clash.
SANFL “Rivalry Round”
A promotion aimed at maximising interest in some of the League’s traditional club rivalries during a weekend free of live AFL action. The ‘Legends’ matches featuring past players and umpires added atmosphere to the nostalgic occasion in which fans reminisced about rivalries that have made the SANFL what it is today. The promotional round was a great success with an attendance of 16,889 – the second highest for a 2007 minor round.
SANFL “Charity Round”
An initiative of the SANFL, Charity Round was devoted to raising awareness and funds for the Make- A-Wish Foundation of Australia. Children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation had the thrill of representing their SANFL Club as the team mascot. More than $3800 was raised for the Foundation through the promotion.
AIS-AFL Academy Squad
SA had five players selected in the AIS/AFL Academy after strong performances in the Championships – Tyson Davis-Neale (South Adelaide), Lewis Johnston (North Adelaide), Matthew Thompson (Sturt) and Alex Carey (Glenelg), with Matthew Broadbent (Eagles) selected from the Under-18 Carnival.
Under 18 National Championships
The NAB AFL Under-18 Championships were played over three states. The opening round was played in SA and WA, before rounds two and three were played in Victoria.
Captain Bradley Ebert (Port Adelaide Magpies) was chosen in the All-Australian team at the conclusion of the Championships. Levi Greenwood (Port Adelaide Magpies) was named the winner of the John Halbert Medal for the best and fairest player in the SA team and the Players’ Player of the Championships. Scott Blesing (West Adelaide) was selected by the officials as SA’s Best Team Man.
Under 16 National Championships
The Championships were again held in Queensland in late July and early August and 25 players had the opportunity to represent the Coca-Cola SA team at the national carnival.
Captain Alex Wilson (Sturt) was awarded the Norm Grimm Medal for the best player over SA’s three games and the Dr Henry Kneebone Achievement Award. Alex Carey (Glenelg) won the SSSSA Best Team Man Award.
AFL Draft
2007 saw four local players drafted to AFL Clubs in the AFL National Draft – Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide Magpies), Levi Greenwood (Port Adelaide Magpies), Matthew Westhoff (Central District) and Tom McNamara (South Adelaide). An additional nine SA players were rookie listed by AFL Clubs for season 2008.
Magpie Brad Ebert was selected as SA’s highest draft pick at number 13 in the National Draft.
South Australian Football Hall of Fame
On August 14, the state’s football community paid tribute to ten outstanding individuals, inducting them into South Australian football’s most illustrious club – the West End South Australian Football Hall of Fame. These new inductees now join an elite group of 150 football legends in the Hall of Fame.
The 2007 SA Football Hall of Fame inductees:
• Ian Day
• Bruce Abernethy
• Jeff Bray *
• Scott Hodges
• Andrew McKay
• Mark Bickley
• Max Hall OAM
• John Taylor *
• Kevin McSporran
• Andrew Jarman
* Deceased
Magarey Medal
James Allan from the North Adelaide Football Club was named the 2007 Magarey Medallist at the black-tie Magarey Medal Presentation Dinner held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The medal count was telecast live on Channel 9 with the support of telecast sponsors SA Brewing, AAMI, Mazda, Mutual Community and SA Lotteries.
A talented midfielder, James joined North for the 2007 season from VFL club Werribee. James capped off an outstanding first season of SANFL football, taking out the R.O Shearman “be active” Star Player of the year and The Advertiser Player of the Year.
Other medal winners on the night included:
• Ken Farmer Medallist (Hardy Wines Leading Goalkicker) – Brant Chambers (Sturt)
• Reserves Magarey Medal – Tim Delvins (North Adelaide) & James Boyd (South Adelaide)
• Under 19’s Tomkins Medal – Kieran Flanagan (Sturt)
• Under 17’s McCallum Medal – Paul Cahill (Sturt)
SANFL ‘be active’ League Grand Final & Jack Oatey Medallist
The dominance of the Central District Football Club was again confirmed with an impressive 65-point triumph over North Adelaide to claim the Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy – South Australian football’s ultimate prize.
Bulldogs coach Roy Laird, only the sixth coach to have earned at least four flags, continued his amazing finals record with his tenth win from 11 finals matches.
Chris Gowans became the first player to win the Jack Oatey Medal on more than one occasion. In his best on ground performance Gowans collected 18 possessions including eleven kicks, five marks, seven handballs, seven tackles and two goals.
SANFL Website
The SANFL launched the newly designed and managed website on August 27. For the first time, the League has full control over the design and functionality of the platforms and, as a result, the site now carries functions such as video streaming, live scoring, photo galleries, interactive discussion and polling options. This has been a key project for the League in 2007 and reflects a determined effort to ensure that SANFL fans have more information and features at their fingertips.
Girl Power
2007 was a defining year for girls football in SA. We witnessed the emergence of 'all girls' Auskick centres, zone football carnivals, secondary weekly winter competitions and the prestigious state-wide knockout championships. More than 80 schools, totalling in excess of 100 girls’ football teams, have been involved in football competitions and programs throughout the year.
With the evolution of girls’ football in the state, the SANFL, in conjunction with the Port Adelaide Football Club, launched a new program in June, appropriately dubbed 'Girl Power'. More than 450 female school students participated in the program.
Indigenous and APY Lands Program
With the support of the State and Commonwealth Governments, the SANFL introduced two programs for indigenous children and indigenous sports people in the APY Lands in 2007. The programs included the multi-skills program tailored for children and the Sports League, focusing on senior players.
Multicultural Development Program
The SANFL, together with the Adelaide Football Club, successfully piloted a multicultural development program during the second half of 2007. The program was implemented in eight multicultural primary schools across the state. The program teaches participants everything from handballing and kicking, to how to bounce the ball like an umpire. Total participation in the six-week program reached 806 students (33 classes).
Participation
• Total number of participants in Australian football in South Australia in 2007 was 66,791
• 13,483 AFL Auskick participants
• NAB Auskick Pro was introduced to include children up to 12 years of age
• 24,450 Junior Club players
• 333 Women & Girls Football participants
• 313 AFL Recreational Football participants
• 981 coaches participated in Coaching Courses and reaccreditations
• 15 SANFL Umpires contracted to AFL matches
• 7 players drafted to AFL Clubs
• 9 players rookie listed to AFL Clubs
Financial Performance
The financial result for the 2007 season was a profit of $14.68 million. A significant contributing factor in achieving these results was the receipt of State Government Grant monies worth $9 million in 2007 and $12.1 million in 2006. These grants will provide a strong foundation for the future upgrade of AAMI Stadium. In addition, the AFL also contributed $1.4 million towards the renovation of the visitor’s change rooms.
Club Football Development Grants paid to all clubs increased from $412,000 per club in 2006 to $427,000 per club in 2007. This equates to a 3.6% increase, and an overall total of $3.843 million over the 9 clubs. In addition to these, other grants, including prize money, Administration Grants and sponsors monies paid via the League totalled a further $909,132 overall.
Following the revaluation of the League’s assets discussed above, the net asset position of the League is extremely health at $123.9 million for the League, and $154.9 million for the group. The League’s cash position is also healthy, with cash reserves of $16.5 million at year end, although a significant portion of this cash ($13.6 million) is dedicated to future capital expenditure. The group’s cash reserves at 31st October are $23.5 million.
In summary, the League is in a strong financial position.
