How the Goulburn Valley league reversed a huge financial loss in one year
The Goulburn Valley league has achieved a stunning $140,000 financial turnaround after hitting rock bottom with major losses last season.
The Goulburn Valley league has produced a stunning financial turnaround of more than $140,000 on a disastrous 2024 season by posting only its third profit since 2018.
One of the state’s biggest competitions hit rock bottom last year when it recorded a $87,005 loss, but a profit of $54,255 was posted at its annual meeting on Wednesday night with big savings achieved in running its finals series ($158,816 to $124,070), interleague ($42,643 to ($10,835) and printing costs ($34,562 to $2503).
The huge reduction in printing costs resulted from the decision to dump the match-day publication, the GV Weekender, in home and away rounds.
Interleague costs were down because the GV did not host its match against Ovens & Murray and there were further savings without the requirement for accommodation due to the game being played in Wangaratta.
The league also increased levies on its clubs and had a 32 per cent increase in finals gate-takings with an increase in admission charges.
It also suffered a 12 per cent drop in sponsorship revenue and paid $149,028 for its administration to be carried out by the AFL Goulburn-Murray hub.
The GV has one year to run on its latest admin contract, with AFL Victoria confirming since the end of the 2025 season an end to the central administration model.
The turnaround has been overseen by chairman Peter Foott following a major shake of the league’s board since last year’s annual meeting.
“There’s no doubt the league was in a tricky position at the start of the year,” he said.
“The board had to look at ways to save money and cut costs across the league and there were many long discussions by the board on how to do this.
“With the skill set of the board, along with the support of all member clubs, the league has finished in a much stronger position.”
