Having outgrown its current training and administration headquarters at the Gabba, the future home of Lions was one of a number of initiatives discussed over the weekend when the Club’s Board, management team, football department staff and other key stakeholders held a strategic planning day to map out the future direction of the organisation.
The search for Lions’ future home has already commenced with a number of locations to be assessed over the next 12 months by an independent consultancy firm, with a view to a move within the next five years.
The Gabba, however, will still remain the Club’s home ground for AFL matches.
Lions Chairman Angus Johnson said the development of a new base would be vital to the Club getting ahead of its AFL rivals.
"This is part of our philosophy of continuous improvement," Mr Johnson said.
"We want to have the No.1 training and administration centre, that also caters for community needs, not just in the AFL but any code in the country.
"This is about getting ahead of the pack."
Johnson said the planning session, held at the Gabba last Saturday, would lead to a vast number of outcomes being set by the Club to strive towards over the next five years. These outcomes would be set across the Club’s five core business areas - football operations, commercial, consumer, infrastructure and communications.
He believes the session had also acted as an important step in re-defining the Club’s core values.
“As an organisation, Saturday will no doubt prove to be a key moment in the development of a successful and sustainable future for the Brisbane Lions,” Johnson said.
“There’s still a lot of work ahead of us as an organisation, however. This was an important step, particularly given the expertise of those involved and ideas generated within the room.”
“Our staff, partners, members, fans and other stakeholders certainly have a strong desire to know what we stand for and where we’re going as an organisation.”
“It’s an exciting future ahead and we look forward to communicating our strategic plan, including our core values, to all associated with the Club when it is finalised later this year.”
Some of the many ideas generated on the day included:
- A new high performance training, administration and community centre, potentially away from the Club’s current base at the Gabba;
- Greater game day entertainment and membership offerings;
- Further re-engagement with Victorian and interstate members;
- Establishing stronger ties with AFL Media through the development of a TV studio at the Gabba;
- Establishing stronger ties to Brisbane Lions digital social media communities;
- Increasing the Club’s investment in its Hyundai Lions Academy programs throughout Queensland.
The development of the Lions’ strategic plan follows a number of initiatives already completed by the Club this year, including the development of a Member’s Charter, as well as a review of all business operations.
The Lions have also undertaken a number of focus groups involving members over the past month as part of the Club’s review of current offerings.
