The Fremantle Football Club has recorded a normal operating profit of $763,775 for the financial year ended 31 October 2015.

President Steve Harris said the result was in line with Fremantle’s strategic aims and meant that the club had achieved an operating profit for the 13^th consecutive year.

In addition to the normal operating profit, the club also received $1.058 million in development funding for the club’s new elite training and administration facility which is being developed at Cockburn Central West in conjunction with the City of Cockburn.

Development funding secured to date for the world class facility, which will become the club’s new home base in early 2017, includes $1 million from the AFL and the balance from the Fremantle Dockers Foundation.

“Given our top of the ladder finish in 2015, the commercial opportunities in staging two home finals and merchandise sales stemming from Nat Fyfe’s Brownlow Medal success, the operating profit is in line with our expectations,” Harris said.

“By achieving this result, the club was able to invest, advance and meet obligations in key financial areas, including maintaining our investment in football operations and strategic projects.

“The fact that the club is able to consistently record an operating profit is also critical to our continued efforts  to build reserves to fund our new elite training and administration facility at Cockburn Central West.”

Harris said the 2015 result confirmed that the club had contributed $6.01million to the WA Football Commission, including committed payments relating to the club’s partnership with Peel Thunder in the WAFL and school and community programs in WA.

“Despite the future uncertainty that exists within the industry over club funding allocations from the AFL for season 2017 and beyond, the club remains confident of its ability to remain financially stable and successful due to the tremendous and vital support from our members, corporate partners and sponsors,” Harris said.

“The establishment of the Fremantle Dockers Foundation in 2015 was an important milestone in the club’s history.

“The foundation’s initial focus is on securing funding for our new world class facility at Cockburn Central West, which will be a driver for future player retention, attraction and development as well as provide the platform  for growth in club community initiatives and member interaction.

“Its ongoing focus will be to support all of the club’s work in the areas of charity partnerships, community engagement and social inclusion, using football as a vehicle to drive a healthy, vibrant and stronger community.”