PORT Adelaide chairman David Koch today announced the club had recorded an operating profit of $211,302 for the financial year ending 31 October 2015.

The result represents a year on year improvement of over $2.7 million and, significantly, is the first time Port Adelaide has returned a profit since 2007.

Mr Koch said the result was a credit to the hard work and application from everyone involved with the club including the belief and loyalty shown by its Members, supporters, corporate and community partners.

“This is truly a great result for the Port Adelaide Football Club and entire community,” said Mr Koch.

“Since the end of 2012 we had a clear vision that 2015 was to be the year that we would return Port Adelaide to profitability and I am delighted we have been able to deliver on this plan.

“However, we would never have been able to achieve this result without the wonderful support of our Members, supporters and club partners.

“Achieving record membership of over 60,000 played a significant role in this result along with average home attendances in excess of 43,000 at Adelaide Oval. Under our new financial model at Adelaide Oval, the more of our supporters who attend our games the better financial return for the club, so a big thanks to all our loyal Members and supporters.

“Similarly, our corporate revenue has continued to grow year on year and has increased by 140% since 2012. In 2015 we welcomed major national brands OAK Milk, Four’N Twenty, UBET and RAA who joined our two existing major partners Renault and EnergyAustralia.”

Port Adelaide achieved its 2015 financial result off a revenue base of $50.79 million, up 5% from 2014.

Mr Koch said the club continued to invest in its football program in 2015, along with its vast range of community programs.

“Investment in our football program increased by $2 million this year and we invested over $1.5 million in our Aboriginal and broader community programs,” said Mr Koch.

“Our community team travelled the equivalent of one and a half times the circumference of the globe in 2015, delivering programs all across South Australia and the Northern Territory to over 100,000 children.

“We are committed to creating pathways and opportunities for young South Australians, beyond football.”

Importantly, Port Adelaide remained a significant contributor to the fabric of local football in South Australia, with a direct contribution of $1 million to the SANFL, together with investment of over $500,000 in the creation of football pathways for young South Australian footballers via the Magpies SANFL league team, the Magpies Academy and the SAASTA AFL Aboriginal Academy.

“I’m very proud that we’ve been able to deliver on all these fronts yet still be able to record our first profit in eight years,” said Mr Koch.

“We now have a strong and sustainable football program, together with a strong and sustainable business model and we feel well positioned for continued future growth.”

Summary of 2015 highlights
• A record 60,475 Members, the first time the club has achieved more than 60,000 Members, and 6th highest in the AFL
• Average home crowd attendance of 43,802, the 4th highest in the AFL
• Television audiences of 13 million, up 22% from 2014
• Record corporate revenue
• Continued development of the club’s community programs including Aboriginal Programs such as the Aboriginal Power Cup, WillPower and the SAASTA AFL Aboriginal Academy