Nick Taylor
March 12, 2015, 7:34 am

Western Force are walking a fine financial line after posting a $649,000 loss last year.

But RugbyWA is confident of moving into the black in 2016, with chairman Russel Perry declaring the Force’s resurgence last season will be reflected in an off-field turnaround.

“Financially, RugbyWA continues to walk a fine line regarding viability, times remain tough but we have reason for optimism. The trend line has turned,” Perry said.

It is the third consecutive loss for the organisation that posted a loss of $857,000 in 2013 and a $271,000 deficit 12 months earlier.

They will receive a welcome boost from increased funding under a new television deal set to be announced shortly.

RugbyWA chief executive Mark Sinderberry said despite the improved result there was another tough year ahead.

The Force have failed to achieve important revenue targets, including sponsorship and membership.

“The loss is significantly less than 2013 and it is heading in the right direction,” Sinderberry said.

“We think we will end up with a much smaller loss in 2015 and we have confidence that in 2016 we will complete the turnaround.

“There is no hiding the fact that it will be very challenging, but we expect to return to full profitability in 2016.

“Let’s be honest, have we been successful yet? No. Do we feel successful yet? Not at all. We’re just not as bad as we were. What we’ve seen is an improvement.

“As an organisation we are moving forward. We’ve got some work to do on the finances, but we are improving our rugby, the underpinning business that will allow our finances to turn around.

“The numbers are a by-product of everything else we are doing. They don’t drive what we are doing.”

There was a 28 per cent increase in ticket sales, a 3 per cent increase in match-day hospitality sales and a 37 per cent increase in merchandise sales.

Total expenditure was cut by 4 per cent, while $1 million was invested in grassroots rugby.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/...ear-off-field/