Good to see Vlad happy on this front. Oh and a sellout crowd expected next Friday night at the SCG. :P
Sydney Swans fans 33,000 strong and growing
Tyson Otto
The Daily Telegraph
April 10, 2013 12:00AM
THE Sydney Swans have set their sights on building an army of 40,000 members in coming years after shattering their all-time membership record this week of 33,000 this week.
AFL may spike NRL season launch in NSW
With no NRL club yet to break the 25,000 membership barrier, the Swans believe they are on track to reach their target of 37,000 members in 2013 on the back of their stunning run to the 2012 AFL premiership.
It would be an increase of 9894 members or 36.5 per cent from the 27,106 members they recorded in 2011.
It prompted AFL boss Andrew Demetrious to declare the game's administration is proud of the Swans' commercial performance in the most competitive sporting market in Australia.
"That's a fantastic effort," Demetriou said.
"They've got 19 new corporate partners that have brought another $2 million in revenue into the club. We're really proud of them and the fact there is a new team in town, the GWS Giants, it's proving that competition is a good thing."
The Swans initially feared their growth would be hamstrung by ongoing redevelopments to the SCG, which will not be concluded until the new stands are unveiled during the fifth Ashes Test in January.
However, being the premiers and again expected to be one of the main contenders for the flag, the Swans have been able to capitalise on their on-field performance.
"It's really exciting," Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said. "You'd hope you can do that off the back of winning the premiership last year. I think as a club we're better prepared to manage winning a premiership and take advantage of that.
"The thing we know it's a constant challenge to continue to grow it. We need to do that. We need to get to 40,000 members. Hopefully we can do that. It's a big challenge."
The Swans increased membership means the Swans round four clash against Geelong on April 19 is expected to be a sell-out.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6616208251
