Geelong is ‘on track’ to reach 100K members by 2025, president Craig Drummond says

Geelong is inching towards 100,000 members by 2025 as an upgrade of GMHBA Stadium also nears completion, Cats president Craig Drummond has told the faithful.

Geelong is “firmly on track” to attract 100,000 members by 2025, president Craig Drummond has told the Cats faithful at the club’s best and fairest ceremony.

Speaking to attendees at the Carji Greeves Medal count at Crown Casino on Thursday night, Drummond said membership had jumped by 92 per cent over the past decade to 82,155, and up 14 per cent on its 2022 record figure.

It compares to industry growth of 55 per cent over the past ten years.

“The year off field has been a good one,” Drummond said.

“For the first time in the club’s history we’ve exceeded 80,000 members.”

He also said reaching the 100,000 was on track for 2025, and 90,000 next season, with Roy Morgan data revealing 640,000 supporters across the country.

Geelong president Craig Drummond at GMHBA stadium. Picture: Aaron Francis.

“Significant opportunity exists for us to convert supporters to members,” he said.

“Our objective is to reach 90,000 members in 2024 and our long held target of 100,000 in 25 remains firmly on track.

“GMHBA Stadium stage five is set for completion well before the season of 2024, with seating capacity of 40,000 giving us the opportunity amplify the home advantage.”

The club also has seen strong growth in its AFLW program, with the club announcing in July it had more than 5500 members.

“You only need to talk about where we were two or three seasons ago, it is absolute chalk and cheese (compared to) where we are today,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the club’s list remains in transition but there are high expectations for 2024 despite a “disappointing” campaign this year.

“Our list remains very competitive, albeit our young talent does need to take another step forward (2024) which I am confident it can,” Drummond said.

“Transition means that our future will increasingly switch to our younger players, who played more games in 2023 than we probably expected, which is ultimately a good thing.

Drummond with club chief executive Steve Hocking. Picture: Aaron Francis.

“Combined with high calibre seasoned players, with a hope and a firm expectation of further availability this group in season 24, we expect to remain highly competitive in the year ahead.

“There is every reason to remain very optimistic for season 24.”

He also updated members on its facilities.

“We’re now well advanced with plans for a redevelopment of our football club and football department facilities,” he said.

“That will see a true integration of our men’s and women’s programs in state-of-the-art facilities at GMHBA Stadium.

“Fundraising has started very strongly due to the generosity of some very large donors.”

Originally published as Geelong is ‘on track’ to reach 100K members by 2025, president Craig Drummond says