Norwood annual report shows profit for Redlegs after strong 2018 but club will reassess hosting AFLW games at The Parade

Norwood Football Club has posted a healthy profit for 2018 on the back of a successful season on field but is set to reassess hosting Crows AFLW games at The Parade next year.

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Norwood Football Club has posted a healthy profit for 2018 on the back of a successful season on field, despite a small drop in membership and attendances.

The Redlegs reported a $385,000 surplus in a year when they dominated the minor rounds before falling at the final hurdle to North Adelaide.

A disappointed group of Norwood players and staff after last season’s grand final loss. Picture: Sarah Reed

Crowds at Norwood Oval fell from 3175 in 2017 to 2958 last season.

Membership income dropped by $15,000 and ticket sales declined by $4500.

“Success on the field is always helpful and we were lucky enough to have that last year,” Norwood financial committee chairman Ben Seekamp said.

“The benefits of that are not always immediate, sometimes it can take a year to really kick in and to see a return.

“But while our attendance was down slightly on the year before, we still want to drive attendances as get as big a crowds as we can.

“If we can get the big crowds, those bumper numbers you get against rivals, it can really be a boost to the bottom line.

“Our focus is on matchday experience so people enjoy coming to Norwood Oval and come back again.”

Norwood’s profit included $275,000 via the annual payments to SANFL clubs from the sale of Football Park.

The Redlegs bucked the trend of other SANFL clubs, whose gaming revenue either declined or remained the same in 2018, by recording a 4.5 per cent increase.

Adelaide runs out at Norwood Oval before its AFLW match against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

The two Adelaide Crows AFLW matches hosted at Norwood Oval brought in a combined 16,000 people in 2018 but dropped to 12,263 this year.

Entry fees are not charged for AFLW matches.

Seekamp said the club would reassess its involvement ahead of next season.

“There’s a lot more people but the spend per head is down compared to a crowd at a SANFL game,” he said.

“They tend to bring their own food and the bar spend is lower.

“The attendances at the games this season have been lower than last season, so it’s something we’ll sit down and have a look at for next year if we’re going to continue with it.”

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