We recently introduced CEO Ian Robson to Essendon fans and asked you to send in any questions you might have for him. 

 

The experienced sports administrator today answers all of those questions.

 

To listen to Ian discuss Essendon's 2010 draw on SEN click here, to listent to him discuss it on 3AW click here.

 

 

Ian Robson: Essendon’s principal home ground is Etihad Stadium and we have an agreement with them until 2025. Our supporter base is growing but we are not at capacity in some seating areas at the stadium so there is plenty of room for all those who sign up asa member in 2010.

 

The club has nine regional supporter groups (SG’s) and seven interstate SG’s which have good relationships with local football clubs along with our affiliate clubs and events are held throughout the year. Contact names can be found on essendonfc.com.au or you can call the club membership manager.

 

AFL Club Support members are classified as Essendon members and DO get full voting rights.

 

 

 

IR: Thanks Noel. There are some good suggestions in your question and I have passed them onto the membership department for their consideration.

 

 

IR: Hi Mark, I have been working closely with the membership department and can tell you there will be a number of new benefits in 2010. See our website for details.

 

 

IR: Hi Benzina. The Essendon sash has had a curve from the players’ left shoulder to their right hip for many years and I am assured that the design has not changed because of adidas coming onboard. This year, however, the adidas jumpers were tighter fitting which might make the curve stand out more.

 

 

IR: Without wanting to comment too much on on-field matters, Essendon has a well respected high performance team who we have faith in. We must recognise, however, that it takes time for players’ bodies to mature. I believe our young playing list will be physically better prepared for the 2010 season due to their development over the past few seasons. As for the second part of your question, in 2010 we look set to have David Hille, Paddy Ryder, Jason Laycock and Tom Bellchambers fighting for spots in the ruck so I am confident we will have plenty of depth and big bodies in the ruck department.

 

 

IR: Kerry, it’s very early days for me in that sense. At the moment we are very focused on fan development and enhancing the game day experience at Etihad. We have a long-term commitment to that stadium and were excited about the growth potential whilst obviously enjoying the big games like ANZAC Day at the MCG.

 

 

IR: Ross, I think that is a fantastic idea.

 

 

IR: Angelo, we made a firm decision about where our list is going and, whilst acknowledging Brendan’s talent, we are very confident in our young men and the succession strategy post Lloyd and Lucas.

 

 

IR: I’ve been away from Tasmania for a long time but certainly going down there with Hawthorn over the last five years was enjoyable. I’ll enjoy going back there on holidays.

 

 

IR: Yes it is. Sadly for me, I wasn’t able to play a senior game for St Kilda in my time there.

 

 

IR: Whilst no one would be content with the on-field outcome, Bendigo still plays a crucial role in the development of our younger players. We are reworking the structure and how that will sit next year with where games will be played and everything else and we are looking forward to making those announcements so that fans can see the plans. We’re fundamentally reworking the current model and we’re confident with the results we can achieve both from the development perspective and the win-loss sense.

 

 

IR: Hi Stephen, I understand people’s concern and we are working on the alignment (see my answer above).

 

 

IR: Without question, members are the lifeblood of any football club. They pay their annual subscriptions, they have a voice in the democratic process but we also want to grow the supporter base at the club and part of that strategy is underpinned by our independent website and the engagement opportunities.

 

 

IR: Thanks Gwenda.

 

 

IR: Neither, I’m a Scotland fan.

 

 

IR: Fantastic, the Scots and the Aussies have a lot in common. I will always have fond memories of our time there.

 

 

IR: I thought the comments of Paul Hamilton in the aftermath of the Round 22 clash showed a level of resolve about how Essendon wants to see itself portrayed and respected by its opponents in such circumstances.

 

 

IR: It’s a very different sort of challenge given where Hawthorn were at in 2004. In that sense I’m excited to have the opportunity and the privilege to continue the legacy and outstanding work of Peter Jackson over 14 years in cementing this clubs’ base as a power in the AFL. The growth challenges the game will bring to us in the next three to five years are what excites me

 

 

IR: The Essendon board have faith in the direction Matthew Knights is taking the club and he was given a contract extension to provide security and allow him to finish the job he has started. We firmly believe he is the right man for the job. What he has achieved in two years has been impressive and we have a young and exciting list that is improving. Stability is very important at a football club and I was happy to make this announcement.

 

 

IR: The engagement with supporters on days other than game days is an incredibly important part of our strategy to communicate with our fans. We need to acknowledge their support and make sure they feel absolutely connected with everything were doing and our independent website is important in doing this.

 

 

IR: Ultimately, for everyone involved in the club, the most important KPI of all is for each and every one of us to play our part. We need to grow the business to underpin investment and we understand we have 16 flags and counting and we are committed to growing that tally

 

 

IR: I think it’s important to take a yearly focus and not get so caught up in the highs and lows of week-to-week outcomes because the aim of every club at the start of every year is to win the flag. Whether we’re quite mature enough in terms of games played, in terms of preseason’s undertaken, height, weight, skills and so on our performance will tell us that.

 

 

IR: There can be no doubt that it’s not about spending the most, its about spending the smartest so the level of investment now required with development coaches with football technology, with assistant coaches, with facilities only becomes more and more challenging each and every year. The football club response to that is we have to compile those resources in a manner that allows us to give our players every possible chance to be the best they can be.