CEO REPORT
Peter Capes
This season was once again a challenging one for nearly all Clubs, players and the WAFC given the uncertainty created by ongoing reports of COVID outbreaks, lockdowns, reduced capacity & cancellations. Quick decision making and the ability to move and amend plans was vital to survive. I’m pleased to report that our people were able to navigate what was thrown at them and to not only survive but prosper, resulting in our
16th League premiership. I think we all know that this success cannot continue. Winning five league premierships in the last eight years is unprecedented in the history of the WAFL when combined with two Colts flags and Reserves teams getting into finals most years and winning two flags as well. I hope all our Subi people recognise how magnificent this era has been, applaud the success and lap it all up. Rules to equalise the competition as well as other Clubs hunting us and doing whatever they can to topple our dominance will eventually take a toll. However, we will continue to innovate, work harder for longer and take nothing for granted as we strive for more and more success. 125TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS Established in 1896, the Club has deep history and roots within WA football and is one of the most recognisable brands/ Clubs in WA. A special logo was created that featured a shield surrounded by 15 laurel leaves on each side of the crest to represent the 15 premierships achieved in those 125 years. The logo appeared on all our playing jumpers, uniforms & merchandise was very popular with members and has been widely supported – thanks to everyone for that. Incidentally, Basil has been here to see nearly all those victories. The season’s launch unveiled the special jumper created for the game that listed every premiership player in those 15 victories and was a great way to celebrate and start the year.
SFC OPERATIONS Every one of our departments in the Club have either met or performed better than their budgeted outcome and I would like to thank everyone for their contribution, they have done a great job. Particular thanks to Zac Acott who has driven our AFL hospitality and Club sponsorship to new levels. He also delivers our high priority communication with members and supporters, the website, Lions eNews, and social media channels that provide up to date information and stories about the people within the Club. Debbie King who has been a very important cog in our small team for 20 years has called time on her career at the Lions and will retire unfortunately. I cannot thank Debbie enough for her dedication to the role but probably more importantly, for the additional game day involvement, willingness to help others and always a Club first attitude and support of the members. I know she has been nominated as a prospective life member; I hope that is awarded because I cannot think of someone more deserving. Well done Deb. Well done also to Mack Sheppard. The ‘Weapon’ is all business, and he has bought in new business, several new events and functions that have boosted our turnover in bar and functions. He leads a very good hospitality team including long time staff in Paul and Susie. Rounding out our key staff is Brodie Riach, our very good district officer who unfortunately has taken another role outside football, and Teigan who continues to look after our membership and merchandise areas well. We are determined to be a one Club model by next year. Our WAFL Women are already an important part of our Club, and they will be a positive part of our future. There will be many benefits from a much closer relationship so let’s get on with that. SEASON HIGHLIGHTS Some of the game day and event highlights during the year included; • Good Friday season launch and special 125th Playing Jumper. • Junior members packs for the first 1000 junior registrations in
our district – thanks to the WAFC and KC Australia • A rescheduled Diehards Function where Kevan Sparks, Jarrad
GREAT CALL For the second season, fixtures have been cancelled and rescheduled due to state government virus scare lockdowns. The WAFL Clubs and WAFC made some really good decisions in late July. The options presented were to cut and run with an early season finish or play all games and extend the season. Everyone understood the risks facing us, but the majority supported a full season and moving the WAFL GF to the week after the AFL GF. A gutsy move in the face of obvious risks, however it was a master stroke and enabled us to take advantage of the footy buzz of what then became the WA Football Festival, that included an AFL preliminary final and then better still the AFL Grand Final. Well led by the WAFC.
8 SUBIACO FOOTBALL CLUB
Schofield, John Martin, Darren Rumble and President Mark Lawrence were inducted into the Hall of Fame. • Life Members Ben Randall and Rodney ‘Rocket’ Reynolds
were also inducted. • NAIDOC round events including the special Kevin Bynder/
Des Headland designed jumpers. • The sold out WAFL Pre-game Grand Final function was
fantastic, featuring MC Tim Gossage and speakers Justin Langer, Matt Priddis, Marc Webb and Beau Wardman • The WAFL Grand Final played at Optus Stadium, after a
COVID interruption, and with the biggest crowd (29,879) since EP beat WP in 2002.
