Swan Districts Football Club Update

The country is facing unprecedented turmoil and disruption to social life, business and general day-to-day living as a result of the COVID-19 virus. We’re aware of the distress and anxiety this is causing across the community and also our staff, players, volunteers, commercial partners, members and supporters.

We at Swans, remain focussed on protecting our people and safeguarding our business. It’s important that our people are safe and our business is stable.

The new community business model we’ve been developing in recent years is helping us weather this storm. The disciplined approach to governance, financial accountability and transparency and our new purpose, vision and strategic direction has been paying dividends. Our business remains resilient surrounded by a nationwide football industry experiencing substantial pain.

Led by the club’s COVID-19 Task Force, we’re doing everything we can to wrap our arms around our people and keep our staff employed. We survive on our people. It’s our biggest asset. Retaining our staff is essential for us to rebound strongly once we get through the other side. This remains a core objective of the club during the ensuing months.

The WA Football Commission in concert with the AFL and other State Federations have programmed a 31 May start for the WAFL and WAFLW. However, we feel a spring competition run between September to November is more likely. We’ll follow the directives from our governing bodies in relation to the 2020 season and will keep you updated as this takes shape.

Our men and women football programs continue to communicate online with coaching and support staff and players. Our WAFLW players have been provided a running program and a football each to maintain their skills. Our WAFL players continue with their individual development programs and are required to complete two strength and conditioning programs per week.

While most of our staff aren’t working in a business as usual environment, they all remain busy.

Our regional community staff in Newman, Port Hedland, Onslow and Roebourne and our Perth based staff are busy creating innovative strategies to keep in contact with program participants.

All of our staff will be involved in a whole of club planning and review strategy. We’ll use the next few months to review current club operations and look for improvements and efficiencies. We’ll also explore new structures, programs and strategies to help create new products and new markets. When we get through this uncertain period, governments will be looking for strategies and partners to reconnect people and rebuild community. This is what we do. We want to be in a position to hit the ground running while other agencies and clubs are needing to rebuild and recruit.

We’re also exploring how we can provide a helping hand in our communities and with vulnerable people during these very difficult months. We’ll reach out and partner with essential service community organisations to see if we can provide assistance while keeping the health and safety of our people paramount. Our work in this area in the past 12 months has set us up to take the lead.

Thank you to all of our members and sponsors for your ongoing and invaluable support of the club.

Please take care and look after yourself and loved ones. Remember, for the health and safety of our community please stay 1.5m from others, follow rules of social gatherings, wash hands regularly and stay home if you can.