CEO’s Welcome

WELCOME TO 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO.

There are exciting times ahead for the Adelaide Football Club, both on and off the field. I also want you to know that I consider it an absolute privilege and honour to be your CEO. I acknowledge the responsibility it carries and I want to enhance and strengthen the connection we have with all of you as Members and supporters.

I have been amazed by the extraordinary level of passion that exists for our Club. It stretches well beyond game days and it’s often on show as we go about our everyday lives in this city. Nearly a year ago, I arrived in South Australia thinking I had a good understanding of the thirst for footy in this State. I didn’t. I seriously underestimated the passion but now that my family and I are immersed in it, there’s no doubt all of you are right up there with the most loyal supporters in this country. It goes without saying that Covid-19 has changed the Australian sporting landscape in many and varied ways. Our staffing levels were cut by 40 percent at the onset of the pandemic and this year we will start to rebuild our resources in an appropriate and considered way. In the short-term, the focus will be on recruitment for key strategic areas such as the football, membership and community departments.

The AFL industry is a fast-paced and tough environment and I want to continue to develop and strengthen a people-first culture. This will not only help us attract the right people but also retain talent and provide for better succession planning. We want people who are passionate and driven to take this Club to the next level. Rest assured, there is already an incredibly hard-working and dedicated group who are turning up for work each day trying to make this Club the best it can be.

Unfortunately, the pandemic forced all sporting clubs to scale back their community activities over the past two years. It’s forced everyone to reconsider how we can best deliver programs that make a meaningful difference, and we will be revamping our offerings. We have already committed to new initiatives this year, such as a partnership with Reconciliation SA, which will see us assist in the delivery of anti-racism education in schools. Our STEMfooty program continues to go from strength to strength, and it is making a real difference among children who are learning about science and technology, with football as a central theme. We recently received further funding which will see us expand the program to the APY Lands and Eyre Peninsula.

On-field results are where the Club is quite rightly scrutinised the most. The rebuild of the men’s playing squad is taking shape and we should all be optimistic. Our core group of young players has now played 25-50 games. They’re growing in confidence together and we expect further improvement in their performances.

We have alignment at all levels of the Club. From the Board and administration staff through to the coaches and players, there is a shared faith in the direction we are heading. All but 10 players are contracted beyond this season. We are working to a very deliberate list management strategy, focussed on bringing in as much high-end talent as we could via the draft, keep the group together, and then invest time and energy in developing these young guys as fast as we can. We have now reached a stage that when possible we will target mature-aged recruits, like Jordan Dawson who joined us in the off-season, to help make us even better.

Having seen first-hand a successful rebuild at my former club, it’s important that we stay the course with our strategy and understand there will be good times and some rough patches. Above all else we must stick together and show patience at the right times. We have the right person in charge of the team. Matthew Nicks is an outstanding Senior Coach, with terrific values.

The positivity extends to our SANFL team where there is also a strong sense of connection. Mick Godden is experienced and a premiershipwinning coach at State League level and his team is an important talent pathway. Our women’s team continues to be among the competition pacesetters. It’s a credit to all involved. With the AFLW competition growing further next season, it’s worth noting that the League’s rules are set up in a way to allow expansion teams to be competitive, if not flourish, from the outset. This includes having the opportunity to sign players even if they’re under contract at other clubs. Given the strength of our women’s program, coupled with the depth of talent in our squad which we see as one of our major strengths, it makes sense that other clubs will come hard after our players. We are prepared for this and have shaped our list management strategy accordingly, with a view to minimising the loss of any key talent. While our football-first focus is quite rightly on what is in front of us right now, it is important we do not lose touch with our past and the achievements and people who helped make this Club what it is today. This year we will stage a 25-year premiership reunion to reflect on the Club’s first flag in 1997. We must also do the little things right to ensure we protect and enhance the fabric of the Crows. In the bigger picture we are all just a small part of the Club’s overall journey and as players, coaches and staff, we must see ourselves as custodians.

Building a world class training, administration and community facility remains high on the agenda too. Along with winning games of football, it will be central to the new strategic plan which we have begun formulating. This will be our roadmap as Covid-19’s impact starts to hopefully diminish, and we can plan and execute with greater certainty. We are moving forward from a solid foundation and there is a collective aim to remain financially independent of the AFL. We also know we are fortunate to have the support of our Members like you, as well as a long list of committed corporate and hospitality partners.

We are building towards sustained success and I am sure you will enjoy the journey.

Go Crows!

Tim Silvers CEO