MESSAGE FROM THE CEO TOM HARLEY

It has been another extraordinary year for our club. For our members and fans. For everyone.

While the year provided its share of challenges, it also provided much excitement.

Our return to finals football capped off a strong and much improved home and away season.

As John Longmire speaks about in his column, I think we all look back on season 2021 with great pride in how our team was able to perform in such unique, challenging circumstances.

As bright as the future looks on the field, it is a similar tale off the field.

At the onset of the Covid pandemic, our Chairman Andrew Pridham outlined to our members our plan in the face of so much uncertainty.

It focused on three key stages; SURVIVE, RESET, THRIVE.

I am proud of the way the club has navigated through our survival and reset to this point.

Following a significant financial loss in 2020, we have returned to profit in 2021 and importantly repaid all debts incurred to the AFL as a result of the impacts of the pandemic.

We have re-enlivened the Sydney Swans HQ development at the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park. Construction is now underway on this incredible project to transform the Royal Hall of Industries into a world class training, administration and community centre.

It has taken a true Bloods effort to bring the project back to life, but such is its importance to the future of the club, we were determined to find a way.

When complete in late 2022, our new home will help us engage with Swans members and the community like never before.

In August, we celebrated the news that the AFL Commission had granted the Swans an AFLW licence. Our AFLW team is less than 12 months away from taking the field in what will be a truly historic event. There is enormous excitement for our AFLW program and our fans are showing their support with more than 3000

AS BRIGHT AS THE FUTURE LOOKS ON THE FIELD, IT IS A SIMILAR TALE OFF THE FIELD.

signing on as Foundation AFLW members.

Our survival and our successful reset has been a team effort, but one absolutely led by our 50,144 members. The unwavering support of our members during these challenging times, has allowed us to rebound faster than we could ever have imagined.

Now, after two seasons heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are looking ahead to 2022 with great optimism. We are ready to thrive.

The 2022 season shapes as one of the most important in Swans history, as we prepare for our new home and our new team.

Importantly, we are also preparing to welcome our members back to the footy in 2022. We truly believe the Swans experience is better as member and it is a promise our team is committed to deliver on.

It all starts again with a big Sydney Derby at Accor Stadium on March 19 and continues into a blockbuster Friday night match against Geelong at the SCG. What a way to celebrate the start of the AFL season in Sydney.

Wishing you all a safe holiday period and I look forward to seeing you back in the stands in 2022.

Cheer, cheer

TOM HARLEY CEO, Sydney Swans