C EO REP O RT
B EVA N PAUL Dear Members In previous annual report commentary, I have remarked upon the underlying resilience of the Paramatta Leagues Club business. This capacity was again put to the test in 2020, as it was for many businesses. The financial results were generally impacted in two ways: firstly, the operational impact of COVID-19 and secondly a number of decisions that were taken during this period as a result. Broadly speaking Members will note that revenue and expenditure decreased proportionally in line with the ten-week shutdown period. What the financials don’t tell Members is the stories behind the numbers and how your Club navigated its way through 2020.
“Parramatta Leagues Club made commitments to: maintain budgeted support for the Eels; maintain budgeted support for our community and ClubGRANTS; and maintain communication with staff and Members.”
The first item to note is the amazing agility of staff at Parra Leagues and Vikings. Whilst operating with a skeleton workforce, they were able to close down venues and establish processes for monitoring the venues by utilising building management systems and security. Whilst all employees were uncertain about the future and how they would adapt to life without work, everyone pulled together and both venues were emptied of cash and perishables, secured and a maintenance schedule put in place within a single day. At the time of the shutdown announcement, clubs were advised that the shutdown could be in place for six-months. Whilst this period was thankfully much shorter, Parramatta Leagues Club made commitments to: maintain budgeted support for the Eels; maintain budgeted support for our community and ClubGRANTS; and maintain communication with staff and Members. All perishable food in the Club at the time of the shutdown was donated to long time community partner Parramatta Mission. A few weeks later the Club responded to a request from another long-time community partner Northcott for contributions of hand sanitiser dispensers and gel. Prior to entering the shutdown period, the Club had purchased ample supplies of hand sanitiser and we were pleased to be able to provide this support.
6 | PARRAMATTA LEAGUES CLUB LIMITED
