LFSC PRESIDENT’S REPORT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

The year of 2013 has seen the Lauderdale Football and Sports Club consolidate its position as one of the leading clubs in the state. This is both on and off the field. I have tried to summarise the year, reflecting on what has been one of the most hectic times during my Presidency.

It is fair to say that Lauderdale can be proud of the fact that as a club we have managed to influence some significant changes within our football community. Whilst there has been a fair bit of public criticism of the State League, and in particular AFL Tasmania, your Board consider there to be more positives than negatives in relation to the state of football in Tasmania. Such concepts as the Tasmanian Football Council can only benefit a holistic state approach to improving our game for all stakeholders.

Future Directions Plan

 

Through 2013 your Board went through a strategic planning review with the aim to provide clear direction and vision to enable the club to move forward with well defined goals and an action plan as to how to achieve those goals. Such aspects as future facilities, governance structures, community engagement strategies, were consolidated. The FDP will be made available for everyone to view on our website. Please take a moment to read through this document.

 

From a facilities perspective, we can report that Clarence City Council have now embarked on a Master Panning exercise for a new precinct at 7 Mile Beach. It is the intention of the LFSC to become the principal tenant of this facility, with an aim to proactively broaden our club into other sports on the back of opportunities as they become available. This is an exciting era for our Club, with an anticipated timeframe for construction being within the next 4 to 5 years.

 

Moving forward into 2014, your Board will be re-structuring to better defined roles and responsibilities for all Directors. This will also consolidate the basis for committees within each of the club’s operational areas. We will be approaching all members and supporters to consider becoming active participants in these committees.

 

Football Departments 2013

 

 

has seen the Lauderdale Football Club continue to take significant steps forward on the field. The latter part of the season for Lauderdale included such milestones as:

 

• Seniors’ and Colts State League finals campaign;

• Winners of the Eastern Shore Cup;

• 3 state senior representatives - Kaine Waller, Jim Dunham & Jack Siggins;

• State representation at Mariners and U/16 levels;

• Haydn Smith winner of Colts competition Best and Fairest;

• U/14 & U/16 finals participation.

 

Our Seniors and Colts have had seasons dramatically affected by injury, however we were still a part of the business end of the season. This injury challenge has led to a maturing of the club’s culture, along with providing additional opportunities for our talented youth to play up a grade. This will hold us in good stead for 2014. A major change for Lauderdale in 2013 was the wearing of a new playing strip. The new red and black “hoops” marries our heritage, where we wore the “cats” blue and white “hoops”, whilst retaining the “Bombers” brand. We are intending to have all our teams, including juniors, playing in the hoops for 2014.

 

Our club is looking forward to being a part of the ongoing State League beyond 2014, with the introduction of the open age “reserves” team. We view the continuation of the League as an important component of enabling the best players to play in the best competition. The state-wide philosophy also provides the avenue for a whole-of-state approach to football administration. We are also embarking on a formal joint venture with the Triabunna Football Club in order to field teams in the SFL. This will essentially see a team based out of the Lauderdale community that offers a participation stream for all those that wish to continue playing football outside of the State League.

 

This year we also embraced the women’s competition, entering a team for the first time. A great effort by Leslee Manjerovic (our Volunteer of the Year) for pulling this together, and we look forward to this new dimension within our club ranks.

 

Significant Events

 

This year saw the tragic passing of our Head trainer, Dale Cash immediately after one of our games. A true clubman and valued contributor for many years, the club introduced an annual clubman of the Year award named in his honour. Greg Turnbull was the recipient of the 2013 award, being a worthy inaugural winner.

 

Early 2013 saw the completion of Stage 1 of the clubs renovations. This was achieved with an investment in excess of $200,000, significantly from Clarence City Council. Special mention has to go to both Mick Roberts and Rob Kruger for their contribution in making it happen. Stage 2, which includes the change-room showers and amenities, and new umpires change-rooms, is scheduled for completion by end of February 2014.

 

Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their support and individual efforts throughout the year. Also, to all our volunteers, thanks for your continued commitment, especially those who regularly give up their time.

 

Graham O’ByrnePresident, LF&SC

 

 

Financial Report 2013

 

Further to our AGM the accounts have been finalised. At that date we were anticipating a loss of around $30k; the final figure is ($42,734.18).

 

The loss can be attributed to:

* Gate takings down circa $10,000 on last year and below what was budgeted by approximately $15000. We believe that this was a factor of a difficult fixture with a number of Sunday games competing with junior competition and events like Mother’s Day and also marquee games being effected by inclement weather. Obviously gate takings go straight to the bottom line and have hit our club’s accordingly.

* Bar takings down circa $22,000 on last year and below what was budgeted by approximately $27000. A reduced gate as detailed above is reflected as reduced patronage and spend through the bar and thus the like for like reduction in bar takings of 35%.

* Write off of bad debts deemed not recoverable to the amount of $5,000. This was from one debtor who had pledged sponsorship in a previous year and after discussions with the auditor it was deemed appropriate to write off. This amount is reflected as a negative $5,000 amount in Hi Marque income.

* Junior registrations down circa $3,000 on last year about $4,000 on budget. We believe this is due slightly lower numbers and potentially below average registration fees when compared to other clubs and sports.

 

Variable costs were managed well after reviewing the budget mid year and forecasting that revenue was not going to get to where we wanted it to be. Although up on last year they were well below budget by about $40,000. Most fixed expenses are up front at the commencement of the season and through hard work the board was able to reduce the club’s variable expenses once it was established that gate/bar revenue was 30-35% down on previous year.

 

On a positive note gross revenues were up on previous year reflecting a diversifying income stream, mainly from fundraising activities.

 

This year we believe a better fixture and the revised format will see an increased gate and bar take. The club is also forging other income streamsthrough its female team, community engagement and links to the East Coast Bombers.

 

We wish to clarify that the club is able to pay its current debts within agreed terms.

 

With regard to the balance sheet, equity has been eroded with the loss. What has not been taken into account is the increased value of the club’s leasehold asset being the clubrooms, equipment and associated infrastructure.

 

Last year over $100,000 was spent improving the facilities at the ground and this year additional substantial improvements will be made. There was an argument to write the value of this up to reflect the improvements last year; however the cost of a formal independent valuation was deemed not to be justified at the time. Our auditor was comfortable with this decision. Therefore the Balance Sheet is essentially understated to the tune of around $150000. We believe that later in the year it will be appropriate, after the additional infrastructure works, to have an independent valuation completed to correctly reflect the value of the leasehold assets in the balance sheet, which will better reflect the equity the club has in its assets.

 

Corey Bygraves 

Finance Director 

GENERAL MEETING NOVEMBER 2013