When CENTRE CIRCLE was formed in 1994, its principal aim was to enhance the prestige and credibility of Australian Rules football in Sydney.
CENTRE CIRCLE brought together leaders in the community, across all walks of life, with a love of the game. On joining CENTRE CIRCLE, they undertook to use their influence as opinion leaders for the good of the game in Sydney.
Since inception, a very close association has evolved between CENTRE CIRCLE and the Sydney Swans. By the end of CENTRE CIRCLE’s first decade, it was apparent that success for the Sydney Swans is the best way to underpin the game’s future in this part of Australia. In other words, a competitive Sydney Swans is the most powerful marketing tool for the growth of Australian Rules football in this city and State.
CENTRE CIRCLE continues to play an important role in introducing influential people (often newly arrived in Sydney) to Australian Rules football in this city.
CENTRE CIRCLE will always play a vital ‘friend-raising’ role. As their AFL involvement in Sydney grows, some CENTRE CIRCLE members seek a closer association for themselves or their businesses with the Sydney Swans. Friend-raising is also an essential precursor to fundraising.
CENTRE CIRCLE members are expected to attend CENTRE CIRCLE functions and to support the Sydney Swans. Contributions from CENTRE CIRCLE members can involve their expertise, status, influence or network of contacts. From time to time, there will also be requests for financial assistance, eg invitations to support the Swans Foundation.
CENTRE CIRCLE members are encouraged to become members of the Sydney Swans, even if they have a long-standing allegiance with another AFL Club.
CENTRE CIRCLE members and their spouses/partners will receive personal invitations to all pre-match CENTRE CIRCLE functions (usually three per season). In addition, CENTRE CIRCLE members will receive ‘gratis’ invitations to attend Kable’s Restaurant lunches at the Four Seasons Hotel. CENTRE CIRCLE members will receive information about all major Sydney Swans’ functions throughout the football season. They will also be advised of downtown AFL lunches with potential for business entertaining.
CENTRE CIRCLE members, who are also Sydney Swans’ members, are invited (with a guest) to attend the Chairman’s Club post-match functions at all SCG and Telstra Stadium fixtures. Also courtesy of the Sydney Swans, CENTRE CIRCLE members will receive a daily newspaper clipping service with the key AFL articles from all of the major newspapers from around Australia.
There is no membership fee for CENTRE CIRCLE members and, as from 1st November 2007, the Sydney Swans will fund and resource the CENTRE CIRCLE secretariat.
It should be noted that the Sydney Swans have established a Charities Program involving some specific charity organisations. It is just not possible for the Sydney Swans to support the many other charities with which our 200 CENTRE CIRCLE members are aligned.
