Now that season 2016 has drawn to a close it’s important we take stock of all we have achieved – and there is much to celebrate. Our team came so very close to achieving the ultimate success, and although we didn’t have the fairytale we had been hoping for, we congratulate the Western Bulldogs on delivering their fans a second premiership.
Although the disappointment will no doubt linger for some time to come, our players can stand proud. They gave it everything they had and carried themselves with courage and integrity throughout. For a team that lost 983 games of senior experience we defied the critics and made it to the finals for the 18th time in the past 21 seasons. Not only did we finish minor premiers, but we made it to the AFL’s biggest stage. It’s an experience that will hold our youngest players in good stead in the years to come.
Off the field our football club has never enjoyed greater support. I would like to extend my gratitude to the 56,523 members who joined us on the journey this year, setting a new Sydney Swans membership record. We welcomed some 13,028 first-year members, while more than 12,000 members signed on from Melbourne, interstate or overseas. When it comes to dedication, I would like to highlight the efforts of the 1,688 members who came to every SCG match. Meanwhile to the 327 members of our Cheer Squad, we thank you for your time and passion – no matter where we play there is always an army of red and white supporting us in the stands.
Season 2016 saw the Sydney Swans return to our spiritual home at the SCG for all of our home games. It’s a move that was well-supported by our fans, with the average crowd at the SCG increasing to 33,425, up from 31,528 in 2015. In Round 17, our Thursday night match against Hawthorn drew a crowd of 42,314 – the third largest ever to attend an AFL match at the SCG and the highest at the venue since 1997. Television audiences for Sydney Swans games will also enter the record books, with the Grand Final audience of 4.089 million making it the fourth most-watched game ever in VFL/AFL history.
In the community, the Sydney Swans continued to use sport to help create a sense of belonging by promoting inclusion and diversity. We officially launched our Rainbow Swans supporter group, and in Round 21, played in the AFL’s first ever Pride Game for premiership points. The Swans were also proud to launch our second Reconciliation Action Plan, making meaningful commitments to the First Australians. Marn Grook at the SCG was a wonderful celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and I have no doubt it will continue to grow in the years ahead.
To our partners, especially our principal partner QBE and major partners Citi and Volkswagen, we thank you for your ongoing loyalty and support. This year marked 30 years of our partnership with QBE, a commitment that represents one of Australia’s most enduring sporting relationships. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without the partners who make up our Sydney Swans family.
Football is an emotive beast. While this year brought moments that tugged at the heartstrings, none more so than the final siren on Saturday, there has also been so much joy: Kennedy’s super-human efforts, Parker’s marks, Buddy’s goals, the emergence of Mills, Papley, Aliir, and Hewett. Having so much support to share in that rollercoaster is what makes it all worthwhile – so to everyone who is passionate about the red and white, we thank you for being #proudlysydney.
Andrew Ireland
CEO & Managing Director, Sydney Swans
