Warners Bay Bowling Club
7 Charles Street
Warners Bay NSW 2282
Club Managers Report 2017
I present to the Members, the managers & financial reports ending 30th of June 2017.
The operating result has seen the club return a profit for the first time in a decade. This is once again a continued sign of improvement compared to recent years with a finalised amount of ($12,439) trading profit recorded. In comparison to previous years, we are once again showing significant improvement and stability in our financial outcomes.
· 2016 financial recorded loss -$6,031
· 2015 financial recorded loss -$1,338
· 2014 financial recorded loss -$67,470
· 2013 financial recorded loss -$91,343
The recorded profit is largely due to ongoing operational cuts , modernisation of our current facilities that has seen poker machine revenue growth and an increase in membership. This financial year we have seen an increase in poker machine revenue of some $50,000, which has obviously counteracted a decrease in bar sales. The club has also been extremely active in improving our members experience within the club. Things like fresh & new Televisions, new Poker Machines, Membership Loyalty schemes, Membership drives, live entertainment and benefit nights. The club has held some of its largest ever events over the past 12 months including Greyhound Alliance Meetings, Fundraisers, Membership drives and Dinner shows.
We have once again been proactive with marketing & promotional activity utilising the digital age to generate wide spread awareness of the facility. Although reducing overheads, we have reinvested those savings back into renovations or improvements. Items such as the poker machine revamp, which in 16 months has seen the club go from 4 poker machines outside to 10, with a smoking terrace. We have also updated a large number of outdated machines to ensure we can be competitive with venues who regularly turn over their machines.
In 2016, the club made headlines around the state due to the closure of the Greyhound racing industry. We had the pleasure of hosting a number of local and even an Federal Member of Parliament, visit our premises over the past 12 months because of this event. Once again another coup for the club.
Over the last 12months, I can honestly say, I have given the club my all. I have been able to spread my wings thanks to a supportive and pro-active board and by doing so this has encouraged me to continue to drive the club in a particular direction. Now, people may not agree with that direction and that’s fine, but we have 2500 members now as part of our club, a figure that has almost doubled since I became manager of the venue. Sponsorship has continued to climb and community support is at an all time high. Everything I do, I am doing it with the belief it’s in the best interests of the club. Sometimes, my decisions effect and may even upset people. I know changes such as the transition away from the TAB, have upset many members. But there are reasons behind these changes, they are not knee jerk reactions, despite what some members continue to insinuate. In relation to that very decision, I am still to this day, despite not having the roll out of Crownbet in venue, even more confident that this decision was the correct one. As evident of this, today I announce that Crownbet will be giving away $10,000 in Cash & Prizes over our Melbourne Cup Carnival weekend to patrons of our club. I can also announce that Crownbet has agreed to conduct sponsorship of our venue for the next 10 years.
There are many people I need to thank for their support over the past year. Firstly, I would like to thank Members & Guests for their continued & loyal patronage. It is my priority to ensure your experience within the club continues to get better & the facilities and services are improved all the time. We are trying to “stand out” in an ever challenging environment and by being diverse and pro active I believe we have the capacity to be one of the best clubs in Newcastle.
Many thanks to the Board of Directors, I thank you all for your support and assistance during the year. We may not always see eye to eye however we work to accommodate as many parties as possible at every opportunity so being fair and forthright is a testament to your commitment in ensuring the club prospers for the majority and not the minority.
A big thankyou to all my staff. You have all done an outstanding job over the past 12months in what has been the busiest year I have seen since being part of this club. I commend your attitude and diligence in assisting our club become bigger and better each year.
A personal thankyou to Neil Convery, Juana Elliott & Tara Sowter for your ongoing assistance and support throughout the year. In trying days, you are always able to remind me of the light that is now being seen at the end of that tunnel and I am forever thankful to you guys for that.
In closing, the work by volunteers has been tremendous and your hard work and time is very much appreciated. All of the volunteers are responsible for making our club a wonderful one.
We have reflected on many of the highs outlined above but i think it’s also very important to remember some of the lows.
The passing of many members this year hasn’t been forgotten and I think we can all agree that these members are forever in our hearts and thoughts.
“Sweet is the memory of distant friends, like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on our hearts”
“Washington Irvine”
Respectfully Yours,
Ryan Freedman – Club Manager
Ph: (02) 49 488 866 Fax: (02) 4947 2335
7 CHARLES ST WARNERS BAY
Email:
ABN 39189285833
Warners Bay Bowling Club co-op ltd trading as Warners Bay Sports Club.