Dear Magpie Army,
It is an incredible honour to write to you as the 15th President of the Collingwood Football Club.
We are so fortunate to belong to this great Club – one built on the foundations of community, resilience, passion and success.
Firstly, I want to acknowledge and thank every single Member for signing up ahead of the upcoming AFL season – I want to assure you we will leave no stone unturned as we continue to aspire to the ultimate success together.
Our history is filled with triumphs, heartbreaks and iconic moments. We have played in 45 Grand Finals in our 133-year existence. That equates to a Grand Final appearance every three years, an amazing legacy and part of our DNA.
As we look to the future, we do so building on the lessons of our past and the strength of our community.
My personal story and connection to Collingwood is not unlike many other Members and supporters who are sons and daughters of migrants. I grew up at Victoria Park, starting in the Ryder Stand and moving to the Sherrin Stand, also known as the Daicos pocket. It didn’t matter where you came from, what your background was or what your personal circumstances were. On a Saturday afternoon, we were all the same. The one thing that united us was our passion for Collingwood – and it remains that way today.
I grew up idolising our number 9, Phil Carman – as a nine-year-old I was in awe of our goalkicker who wore flashy white boots, a rare sight among footballers in the 1970s.
Whether like me, you’ve been a lifelong Collingwood supporter cheering from the stands for decades or whether you’ve only recently joined the Magpie Army, you are part of something truly special.
Collingwood has always been more than just a football club.
Today, through our Collingwood Community Foundation, we provide 104,000 meals a year through the Magpie Nest Café and 124 people with access to safe housing through our Nest for All program. We want those who are most vulnerable in our community to have a place to belong and connect.
Through our Barrawarn Programs, we remain committed to learning every day. I was fortunate to participate in our Cultural Immersion program in Tennant Creek recently, and just last week, I had the privilege of supporting the talents of Bobby Hill and Ash Johnson as part of the Indigenous All Stars in Perth.
We will continue to build meaningful relationships with the community to create lasting change, and we thank the Magpie Army for their support in doing so.
Our AFLW team, despite a challenging season last year, remains focussed on growth, development and a commitment to success in the season ahead. We’ve injected new talent and energy into the list, highlighted by the selection of Ash Centra with the first pick in the AFLW Draft.
Our Wheelchair team continues to demonstrate exceptional resilience and passion and our Community Football Team provides invaluable social connection for many members of our community.
Following our first Board meeting for 2025, we resolved to appoint Nick Sims as a Director, filling a casual vacancy on our Board. Nick brings a strong financial skillset and expertise and will play a key role in guiding our Club’s financial strategy and long-term sustainability.
As we enter this new chapter, our purpose as a Board and Executive team is clear: to Connect, Win and Grow – on the field, in our community and in delivering for our passionate Members and supporters.
If you’re anything like me, you’re counting down the days until our first game of the 2025 AFL season – it’s just 12 days away!
We cannot wait to share this upcoming season with you our valued Members, supporters, families and corporate and community partners.
Side by Side.
Barry Carp
President
Collingwood Football Club
