COVID19 Club Update – 5th August 2020
To All Members & Supporters,
It continues to be challenging times for the club but the teamwork shown to date by our members, players, officials, sponsors and community has been outstanding. The Panthers have achieved several important milestones that has enabled sport to restart and our financial position to show some improvement. We are not out of the woods but we are now able to put in place recovery plans.
There is no doubt the great challenge of job losses, mental health issues and financial security concerns will remain within our community for some time. As a club, we have recently faced tragedy within our youth ranks and our hearts and thoughts remain with the family. We all need to continue to look out for each other and continue to ask the question: are you ok? I repeat my earlier notes that never has the role of our club been so important to all our stakeholders. Throughout these challenging times if you need help or assistance please reach out to your Panther community. We will continue to promote social justice in our community and provide our education welfare programs.
I stress it is vitally important on and off field and in the Licensed Club that all follow the COVID safe regulations and directions of officials and staff. If we don’t, we will not have sport or a club to enjoy. There can be no exceptions to this directive
The current status of the various club activities is;
Football - we are delighted to have been able to get our football season up and running. Whilst it has differences, the intensity, passion and competitive nature has never been stronger. Our participation numbers are another record year across all grades. The senior teams are extremely competitive and its great to see a lot of our talent back home from the NEAFL and other leagues.
While it may appear normal to be playing football again, I can assure you that it is anything but and the work of our officials and volunteers in managing the safety protocols for players, officials and spectators has been first rate and I thank all involved.
My First Gym – is back operating and has had a great take up since restarting last month. We are very excited to have close to 300 members participating and the associated revenue flowing back into the club.
Finances – as previously stated we are facing the most challenging financial situation in the club’s long history but since my last report we are seeing some positives. We have secured a long-term state government COVID assistance loan that will partially ease our immediate cash flow issues. We also have had great support from our sponsors, membership revenue from the restart of football and our community loving the Panthers Licensed Club improvements and quality service and food offerings. We have also cut expenditure to the bone and have had great support from our senior playing group.
The Future – we all face uncertain times and know that it is not going to be easy. The financial burden at the club from the pandemic fallout will need to be shared across our members and community if we are to move forward. In particular, our next 3 months are critical in maximising fundraising before we encounter another long ‘out of season’ period with low revenue and fixed cost commitments. Your support is greatly needed.
How you can help? By Supporting the #PantherRecovery
1. Bring family and friends and dine and socialise at ‘your’ club - Panthers
2. Buy wine in our August Wine Drive
3. Attend a fundraising function; Pink Panther, Panther Long Lunch, Panthers Family Day
4. Sponsor the club or find a sponsor – our sponsorship levels cater for all budgets
Please stay safe - support the Club and our officials – and importantly support #PantherRecovery in the best way you can!
Thank you.
Paul Mazoletti
MAFC Chairman