The Standard |Unforgettable WDFNL grand final day sets gate takings record
ONE of the most memorable grand final days in recent Warrnambool and District league history has also proved a boon for the bank balance.
WDFNL president Ken McSween confirmed the 2015 decider had delivered record gate takings. The finals series was also a record, despite a slight drop in takings in week one.
Figures remain unofficial, but indications are grand final day reaped $33,000, an increase of $2000. The series takings were about $98,000. The previous mark was $95,400, set in 2014.
McSween said the league had adopted a more family-friendly pricing policy this year. Children under 18 were admitted free while the adult price jumped from $10 to $12 for the preliminary final and grand final.
He said the success was testament to “the family environment and having nine of the 12 clubs involved in the grand final”.
“Having a variety of clubs involved usually means you’ll have a good crowd. The fact there are a lot of clubs in means there are a lot of clubs doing the right things to strengthen themselves.”
McSween said the income from sponsors remained the backbone of the league and “a good finals series becomes the icing on the cake.”
He said officials would reinvest profit to shore up the future of the competition.
“A lot of it goes into the coffers but it funds our infrastructure grants program, it enables us to do quite a few things...This money enables us as an executive to reinvest and help in some way make the clubs stronger.”
