CHERISH the moment, influence the future.
It was a year where Carlton fans young and old packed the stands, enjoyed precious moments together and proved that all generations are well and truly United By Navy Blue.
In the words of Carlton’s greatest ever player John Nicholls, “we’ve done so much — but there’s so much more to do”.
Nicholls - joined by Carlton’s Coach of the Century David Parkin and current CEO Brian Cook - all endorsed and advocated for Blues Forever, the Club’s bequest program which future plans and future proofs Carlton to make it better in years to come.
The Carlton Football Club has formed a huge part of Nicholls’ journey, and he wants to ensure that it’s in the best possible position for both current and future generations.
“It’s been my life, playing and enjoying the comradeship of what a great club it is. So many great supporters, Australia-wide and worldwide: it’s a great club, and we now have to build something even better for when we’re successful,” Nicholls said.
“We played every Saturday afternoon, all 18 games — everything’s changed. Life’s changed. It’s so important that Blues Forever and these products are expanded upon and utilised to make the Club better in years to come.”
Having championed the importance of purpose both on and off the field in his time as coach, Parkin - who led Carlton to three premierships in the 1980s and ‘90s - said the program which he’s a proud supporter of has the opportunity to do mountains of good for the football club.
He views it as a key “foundation block” for now and the future.
“It’s a history that is second to none in a real sense. It has embraced people from all walks of life.
“It’s a continuance of a club that started to think ‘we need to look after them now while they’re playing, and we need to be responsible when they transition to life after’. This club ought to be very proud of what they’ve been able to do.
“They’re so passionate about their footy, probably the best in terms of supporting their players — both during and after [their careers], which I think is a very important thing.”
Cook echoed those sentiments, reiterating the passion of the Carlton supporter base which was on full display not only in 2023 on the rise to a preliminary final, but in all the years preceding it.
For the CEO, he believes the passion of its people can be what sets the Club apart.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the most passionate supporters have been the Carlton supporters. By and large, its competitive advantage off the field is the passion of its supporters: if we can harness that in the right way, this club could go anywhere.
“We’re doing our utmost to take this club in the right direction, introduced a lot of programs like this one. It gives Carlton longevity and it allows our future generations to experience the joy of Carlton — we can make that last a long, long time.
“If we can continue to get support from our members - particularly our older ones - and join in on the Blues Forever program, it gives us the resources we need to the the team we want to be and the club we want to be in the future.
“We can do these things better than anyone else if we’re resourced up.”
To find out more and to get involved, please download our most recent brochure below or contact our Bequest Coordinator, Lou Katsamas on 0438 096 539, or via email on lou.katsamas@carltonfc.com.au.
