Swans Making Progress With New Direction

In November 2017, the club reset its purpose, vision and values and established new strategic pillars.

The club’s purpose is to build community and develop people. The vision is to be a well-connected and community-engaged football club which improves social outcomes and the sense of wellbeing within the wider Swans community. And the club’s values are to act with integrity, everyone matters, raise the bar to be the best you can, and we fly together (loyalty to family, friends and club).

In November 2018, the club conducted an online survey to get an understanding of whether the perceptions its key internal stakeholders have of the club align with the club’s new strategic direction. The survey included players, staff (permanent and casual), football operations staff (including honorary coaching and support staff), committee members and also coterie group members.

An overwhelming majority of people connected to Swan Districts Football Club have a very positive view of the club. They have an intense sense of belonging to the club and believe the club plays a key role beyond winning football games. This includes a strong connection with the broader community in which the club belongs.

The club is seen to be inclusive, united, financially responsible and progressive. It has a coherent purpose, vision and strategy and plays a significant role in developing people (players and non-players) and helping them be the best they can.

People at the club are seen to value diversity and equality and they’re also seen to act with integrity.

“Overall these results are very encouraging given the club only reset its purpose, vision and values a little over a year ago. Considerable work has been done promoting and reinforcing this new direction, however it’s only the beginning of a long journey. This new strategic direction is fundamental to the club increasing its relevance and there’s a direct relationship between relevance and sustainability”, says Swans Chief Executive Officer Jeff Dennis.

Results

1. 96% of respondents agree or strongly agree that the club is inclusive.
2. 91% of respondents believe the club provides a physical and emotionally safe environment.
3. While 66% of respondents believe their opinion is valued at the club, 31% neither agree or disagreed that their opinion was valued.
4. 92% of respondents believe the club acts with integrity. People at the club do what is right. We accept responsibility when we get things wrong and then work to make them right.
5. 85% of respondents believe the club values equality, while 12% neither agree or disagree.
6. 95% of respondents believe the club values diversity. They believe the club brings together and welcomes people that are different from us.
7. 95% of respondents believe the club is united and cohesive and people at the club support each other, while 13% neither agree or disagree with this.
8. 77% of respondents think the club is open to challenges, suggestions and change, while 22% neither agree or disagree with this.
9. 81% of respondents believe the club has a clear purpose, vision and strategy, while 17% neither agree or disagree with this.
10. 69% of respondents disagrees that the club is only driven by on field success, while 19% neither agree or disagree with this.
11. 74% of respondents think the club empowers people. It helps people become stronger and more confident. 24% neither agreed or disagreed with this.
12. 82% of respondents think the club provides a caring and supportive environment, with 17% neither agreed or disagreed with this.
13. 84% of respondents believes that the club provides an environment where everyone including players and non-players can be the best they want to be, while 15% neither agreed or disagreed with this.
14. 85% of respondents believe the club is like one big family, while 13% neither agreed or disagreed with this.
15. 86% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the club is good at engaging with the broader football and non-football community.
16. 74% of respondents believe the club is financially responsible, while 23% neither agreed or disagreed with this.
17. 88% of respondents believe the club develops people, while 12% neither agreed or disagreed.
18. 86% of respondents think the club builds community and helps improve the lives of people in the community, while 12% neither agree or disagree with this.
19. 78% of respondents think the club is good at recognising its staff and volunteers, while 17% neither agree or disagree with this.
20. 82% of respondents think the club is a contemporary and progressive football club, while 16% neither agree or disagree with this.
21. 64% of respondents believe leaders at the club always put others first, while 34% neither agree or disagree with this.
22. 94% of respondents said the club makes them feel good.

The results of each question are provided here: Swans Culture Survey Results