New CBD Crows’ headquarters a priority: John Olsen
Incoming Crows chairman John Olsen has put relocating the club’s headquarters back in the spotlight saying the move – and winning premierships – is the club’s priority now he’s at the helm.
SA News
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Incoming Crows chairman John Olsen has outlined paying down the club’s debt and relocating the Adelaide Football Club’s headquarters to a location closer to the city as the hallmarks of what he hopes to achieve in his time leading the club that he’s supported since its inception.
But the former South Australian premier said winning games remained at the top of the list.
“Premierships is what the football club’s all about,” Olsen said.
“Its core function is footy, winning games and winning premierships.”
He acknowledged that the 2020 season – which saw the Crows claim its first AFL wooden spoon – had been a failure.
“This year was not a satisfactory year … but in my discussions and observations over the last few weeks and months, have really put in place a ruthless reassessment of the club and made really substantive decisions, some announced, some yet-to-be announced, which I think auger well and a positive direction for this football club going forward,” he said.
While stopping short of saying where on the AFL ladder he hoped the Crows would finish in 2021, he said: “we will lift. This club will lift substantially next year, I have no doubt about that”.
But relocating the club away from its West Lakes headquarters was a clear priority.
“There are options that have been canvassed in the past, of course, COVID has impacted on all of us in different ways and it’s no different for the Adelaide Football Club … revenue streams have taken a substantial hit,” he said.
“COVID has intervened in the quest for a new home base, but it is clearly a priority for the fans of the club, and therefore it will be a focus going forward.”
The 75-year-old, who maintains fitness and still barefoot waterskis, has taken on the role for standard three-year term, but outgoing chairman Rob Chapman said no time limit had been placed on Olsen’s tenure.
“We’re not ageist, we’re not going to put a time limit on this … we’re so thankful to him for accepting the role,” Chapman said.
“I know he has the gravitas, the experience, the contacts, the wisdom and skills to do a fine job for this football club.”
Olsen had been in discussion with the Crows for a number of months before being formally offered the role a few weeks ago, doing his due diligence before accepting the invitation.
Chapman said he was impressed by the time it took Olsen to accept the position.
“I think that depicts his professionalism, he did his due diligence, he spent hours with myself and (CEO) Andrew (Fagan) and other board members and took his time to go through that process to reach the decision,” chapman said.
“Every day that’s gone by to get him to that point I became increasingly confident that John is the person to lead us into the future.”
Olsen still sits as deputy chairman on the board of the Adelaide Oval, but will give up that position before its next AGM to ensure there’s no perceived conflict of interest and will start at the end of October.
“I was flattered and stunned, it was something that I really wanted to do and I wanted to do it, simply because I’ve been a fan of the club throughout its history,” Olsen said.
“I’ve been supportive of this club throughout its history.
“I want to be part of this club as it moves into its next phase.
“There are many new opportunities emerging, for example, facilities closer to the city for the fan base and the club in the future. There are a number of items on the agenda that will require real focus and determination and I hope to bring that to the role.”