Sydney Swans CEO Andrew Ireland today thanked all Club members for their support in 2012.

Despite a challenging year with the SCG redevelopment, the Sydney Swans membership figures for the 2012 season have remained steady.

The AFL today released its annual audit of Club membership figures, with the Swans posting a total of 29,873.

Changes to the AFL’s reporting criteria for members has seen a year on year decrease compared to 2011, but CEO Andrew Ireland said the true number had in fact remained similar.

“In 2011, our total of 34,679 released by the AFL included our popular Red Rookie memberships, which provide three-game access for children under 15 years of age,” Mr Ireland said.

“Due to changes with the AFL’s reporting, those numbers - totalling 4342 this year - are not included in the 2012 figure released today."

 Mr Ireland praised the passion of Club members and thanked everyone for their support in 2012.

“Despite the challenges thrown at our membership base with the redevelopment of the SCG, which resulted in many being displaced from their long-held reserved seats, our members have remained passionate and loyal,” he said

“It is an exciting time of the season and we look forward to support in the weeks to come, and for 2013.”