MEMBER SERVICES & FACILITIES REPORT

An excellent all-round year developed with no COVID-19 restrictions affecting our operations therefore achieving our planned objectives.

MEMBERSHIP

Scanning our membership base renewals and new signings showed a general increase overall for the year with popular categories of Lion and Pride being prominent. The inclusion this year of Reserved Seating was certainly popular with regular home game attendees taking this opportunity for their group involvement. This add-on to membership will continue as will our parking concession availability. As a regular service to members the Club website promoted current news and events, summarised with our popular weekly in-season Lions News, additional social media representation still retains a high public interest. Our Members Draw will continue at our home games after presentations with all current members included. To win you must be in attendance, so make it a habit to be involved with a chance to win the opening $200 prize. Members will note from our recently forwarded detailed renewals, current subscriptions have been maintained with a new Club membership pack designed – great news! Our thanks are recorded to Jeff King and staff (KC Australia) for being associated with this section of Club sponsorship as our Membership Partner. Their involvement in many promotions within our operations and assisting with expertise in merchandising was certainly appreciated. We look forward to ongoing involvement in the coming years.

MERCHANDISE

Our Team Store is on a HIGH with this year’s results recording record sales.

The 125-year celebration and Grand Final merchandise were winners and complimented by our regular range still maintaining popularity saw these trading results achieved. End of season specials are being promoted to members and fans representing great value for family gifts or Christmas presents. For details access our online team store (https://shop. subiacofc.com.au/). Team store manager Teigan Freeman is to be complimented for the successful operation of this facility.

FACILITIES

The upkeep of all Club areas was mainly directed to programmed maintenance, commencing exterior painting of our social Club viewing structure, realignment of changeroom photos and the usual weekly general repairs and replacement when required. The Club TRG (Tuesday Response Group) fulfilled these operations thereby assisting the Club financially and ensuring facilities are conditioned to members expectations. We acknowledge the contribution of this year’s TRG – Basil Fuller (coordinator), Kevin Smyth, Mick Bailey, Mick Symons, Graeme Wilson, Jim Simmons, Graham Clarke, Colin Button, Frits Vanirsen and Angelo Porcaro. After many years of involvement Keith Stone retired and Mick Bailey sadly passed away. To Keith and Mick – thanks for your involvement and friendship. Should any member have Tuesday mornings free and are relatively fit come along meet our group and check out the TRG activities as new members are always welcome.

CLUB MAJOR RAFFLE

This annual fundraising project gives members the opportunity to partner the Club financially underwriting the support of our community junior Clubs and country academies development programs for young district players. Results this year were again encouraging with our development areas benefitting financially to extend their operations. The support of our metropolitan junior Clubs and our members is acknowledged as an important feature in this successful project. Thanks are recorded to the many sponsors of this event and their continued support of our endeavours in relation to community junior football development.

FUNCTIONS

A general increase in Club and outside functions guided improved returns being achieved within our Social Club operations. The Club promotion of this facility was a contributing factor with this result and will be continued to develop more business opportunities. Noted and successful Club events included Outridge Medal, Taylor Medal, Diehards and Life Members function, Grand Final Luncheon at Optus Stadium, NAIDOC presentation and the popular Ladies Day. Presidents home luncheons acknowledged our sponsors, membership groups, junior football administration, coterie groups and special award recipients.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The ‘Handsome Stranger’ coffee van provides a popular service to members on match days, and we acknowledge Kitch and his staff for their availability. We again thank Club caterers Topolinis (Phil & Jodie Jardine) for providing a varied and popular match day food selection for members and guests and their professional service and presentation supporting the Club’s special events. Thanks to McKenzie Sheppard for his professional management of our social and functions facility successfully promoting our venue and fulfilling members expectations. The member services committee were active in the direction of the Club undertook with event planning, members benefits and member communication. Our committee members – Peter Capes, Debbie King, Teigan Freeman, Zac Acott and McKenzie Sheppard are acknowledged for the positive contribution supporting this portfolio. We now look forward to successful planning for our 2022 challenges.

Basil Fuller