| Highlights of the 2009 Financial Statement | |
> | Operating Profit $752,442 (2008 - $856,269) |
> | Turnover $34m (2008 - $32m) |
> | 22% increase in Membership revenue up $1.4m to $7.7m as membership reached a record level of 43,294 members. |
> | 38% increase in Gate Receipts up $661k to $2.4m due to the sale of a ‘home’ game to the Gold Coast venue for $400k, and record crowd attendances for home games (Carlton participated in 4 of the top 5 attended AFL games during the home and away season). |
> | A record $1.5m in Merchandise sales. |
> | $2.7m Increase in football department spending via operations ($2.5m) and equipment ($204k) |
> | A further $12m was paid towards the Visy Park facility redevelopment project. Just under $8m in grants were received during the year for this purpose |
> | Nearly 15,000 contributors to the ‘Blue Believer’ Program |
> | Establishment of the Carlton Football Club Foundation which raised over $400,000 in donations. |
> | Establishment of the Carlton Football Community Fund which undertook the successful Multi-Cultural Program in the Carlton Community. |
“This is a very pleasing result for the Carlton Football Club, particularly considering the challenging economic situation that has confronted everyone in recent times. Retuning another strong profit, our third in a row, further highlights the confidence in the Carlton Football Club and is a positive endorsement of our growing position on and off the field,” said Carlton CEO Mr Greg Swann.
The total turnover to the end of October 2009 was $34 million, an increase of over 6% on the previous year. Substantial revenue increases were made through membership, gate receipts and merchandise sales during 2009.
A new record was set in merchandise sales and the Club had a 38% increase in gate receipts, up to $2.4 million in 2009 with Carlton involved in four of the top five attended AFL home & away matches.
“Carlton supporters have been outstanding in the manner in which they have once again assisted the Club in 2009. Record merchandise sales, increasing gate receipts and a record Club membership of 43,294 which resulted in a 22% increase in Membership revenue to $7.7million. This together with nearly 15,000 contributors, raising $375,000 for the Blue Believer program established to help fund the redevelopment at Visy Park,” said Swann.
Swann said the operating profit has come in a year when much of the fundraising for Carlton has focused on the redevelopment of the elite training and community facilities at Visy Park.
“To return a substantial operating profit in a year when much of our fundraising efforts were focused on raising funds for the redevelopment is a wonderful result.
“The contributions from our major funding partners in this redevelopment project; Federal and State Governments, Melbourne City Council and the AFL and our naming rights partner Visy, together with support through the Blue Believer Program, have enabled this important project to be undertaken without impacting too heavily on our normal financial operations.”
Almost $8 million was received in grants to assist the funding of the redevelopment project. This was part of the $12 million paid towards the project during the year with the establishment of the Carlton Football Club Foundation raising over $400,000 in donations.
“Once again we have reinvested into the business, in particular in the Football Department. Our investment in this area increased by $2.7million on operations (including the payout of Nick Stevens’ playing contract for the 2010 season) and equipment during 2009, as we prepare to move into, and benefit, from the new facilities that are nearing completion at Visy Park.
“The establishment of the Carlton Football Community Fund is an important link between Carlton and our community and was highlighted by the successful Multi-Cultural Program conducted in the Carlton Community in 2009.
“There is a real challenge for everyone involved with the Carlton Football Club to continue to improve the club on and off the field. This is no more evident than in membership where we have enjoyed record numbers in the last two years, setting a challenge that we are determined to work together to surpass and create further records as Carlton continues to grow,” Swann said.
The 145th Annual General Meeting of the Carlton Football Club will be held at the MCG on Monday December 14th, at 6:00pm. All registered Members of the Club are welcome to attend the 2009 Annual General Meeting.
Click here to download the 145th Annual Financial Report
for the year ended 31 October 2009
