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A business operations manager needs to create a positive match day environment, and can do this by fostering strong relationships with partners to implement new and exciting opportunities for fans.

Scott Rollinson details the importance of the partnerships and sponsors that the Gold Coast Titans have, and how they have assisted in creating the best environment for staff to work in. There are specific procedures that the business operations manager can implement to connect and simplify all procedures into one place through direct communication and effective workflow systems. This is integral with the adaptability required in such a fast paced-industry.

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Gold Coast Titans proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout South East Queensland.

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Meet Scott Rollinson, the man in charge of bringing the energy to the Titans home games at Cbus Super Stadium.

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The role of a sports business operations manager is to manage the performance of the organisation in line with the clubs’ strategic priorities, goals, and the direction of the future. This includes successful financial operations, managing stakeholder relationships, optimising facilities and developing sustainable business models that will be both profitable, and foster a strong community. Business operations managers must also manage administrative functions and maintain strong relationships with partners to ensure that appropriate policies are in place to meet the clubs’ requirements.

The overarching goal of the business operations manager is to oversee the clubs management and empower all stakeholders to reach the goals of the business model.

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The current national cost of living crisis is causing difficulties for Australian families to pay for their children’s sporting activities. This has caused 63% of Australian families to make the switch to home-based activities over paid activities due to the financial pressures they are facing. At the grassroots level, Australian sporting clubs are facing an extreme decline in registration fees and an increase in operating costs. At a professional level, operations managers are facing the issue of maintaining revenue in ticket sales – and trying to create a pathway for young Australian athletes to sustain a strong future for the sport.

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Clubs Under Pressure: The Brisbane Olympics

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Clubs Under Pressure: The Brisbane Olympics

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The 2032 Brisbane Olympics continues to bring in opportunities for sporting businesses in Australia, and specifically in Queensland. The Australian Federation of Sport have highlighted the potential for a local Olympics to serve as a catalyst to inspire young athletes to participate in sports. However, there is a lot of pressure on professional sports organisations to upgrade facilities and infrastructure, which can become a financial burden to the club. There is also an increased administrative load on operations management, and larger competition for attracting volunteers.

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Clubs Under Pressure - (May 2023) | Australian Sports Foundation

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Challenging economic conditions have placed additional strain on community sporting clubs, already struggling with running costs, participation numbers and volunteers after COVID-19 and extreme weather events.

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The Gold Coast Titans: Financial Hardship

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The Gold Coast Titans: Financial Hardship

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In 2012, the Gold Coast Titans were reportedly facing 35 million dollars of debt to suppliers, which created a widespread financial stress and impacted the club greatly. During this period, there was an overarching instability that shadowed the clubs operations, which caused a snowball of issues for the Titans. With the reputation of financial debt, it was extremely difficult for the club to recruit and retain players, took away from the on-field performances, and diverted focus from the core goals of the company. Despite this event being so long ago, it is possible that fans and stakeholders still hold a distrust in the company and its ability to stay afloat among increasing financial demands.

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Source: Foxsports

Gold Coast Titans' crippled financial state descended further into the abyss on Thursday after a team of NRL accountants unearthed millions of dollars of hidden debt in the embattled football club.

While Titans boss Michael Searle has long been adamant the club's difficulties are confined to the its property arm and its Centre of Excellence, NRL chief executive David Gallop said an audit this week had shown all aspects of the business were under "considerable financial stress" with the total debt estimated at $35 million.

It comes amid an increasing belief that Storm halfback Cooper Cronk has already signed a three-year deal with the Titans, despite deep concerns about the club's future.

While Gallop couldn't guarantee the Titans' current playing roster would all be paid, he said he was confident contract payments would be met.

"We have received reports from our external accountants today that confirm the whole structure at the Titans is under considerable financial stress," Gallop said. "We are working through the options around that but there needs to be an acceptance that the various arms of the group's business are intertwined in terms of the level of debt and that will have ramifications as future options are explored."

It is understood the external accountants discovered the football club was in millions of dollars of debt to suppliers, including those that provide merchandise, catering and ground hiring.

The Titans will return to the courtroom on Friday after Reed Constructions, which finished the NRL club's controversial Centre of Excellence project, filed two affidavits in the Federal Court this week.

The NRL cannot allow the club to fold because it needs them to satisfy their TV agreement of eight matches a week.

"The game's clear goal is to maintain a viable football club at the Titans," Gallop said. "The issues around the building are creating an alarming diversion from what would otherwise be a successful expansion of our game into an important area."

Yet the Titans continue to plough ahead.

Following the shock signing of Souths big man Dave Taylor on Sunday, it is believed the Titans are in the box seat to secure Cronk on a three-year deal worth about $800,000 per season despite their financial turmoil.

The Storm had feared that South Sydney would snatch Cronk from under their noses because of the influence of Craig Bellamy's former understudy Michael Maguire.

But that has changed, so much so that there was a strong belief out of the Storm on Thursday that the Titans had become "frontrunners" to sign their halfback, who has been in white-hot form.

Searle - who did not return calls on Thursday night - has a close relationship with Cronk's manager Chris Orr, based on the Gold Coast.

Working in the Titans' favour is Orr has the ability to secure numerous lucrative third-party agreements.

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Auditors reveal $35 million worth of debt at Gold Coast Titans as club circles on Cooper Cronk

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The Future of Australian Sport: E-Sports

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The Future of Australian Sport: E-Sports

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The overwhelming establishment of contemporary sports such as e-sport and entertainment sports are posing a risk on the popularity of traditional sports in Australia. Not only are more children withdrawing from organised sports due to this trend, but there is also a greater competition for the attention of potential fans. It is possible that if we continue in this direction, the Gold Coast Titans may struggle to maintain their market share which could lead to decreased viewership, merchandise sales, and sponsorship interest.

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Like all businesses, many sporting clubs are still reaping the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their in-club finances. A survey conducted in 2021 revealed that 93% of sporting clubs in Australia have lost money since the pandemic, and up to 80% of these clubs anticipate continued reductions post-pandemic. This immediate financial loss threatened the sustainability of many clubs in Australia, and the management of operations in businesses were certainly put to the test. The pandemic also affected the number of willing volunteers, which could mean clubs had to budget in paid staff to complete roles that previous volunteers would complete.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Community Sport | Australian Sports Foundation

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In 2021, we carried out a survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on community sports, which revealed that 16,000+ local sports clubs were at risk of closure.

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In 2015, the Titans faced serious financial difficulties and could no longer meet their financial obligations, so the club’s license was transferred to the NRL, and finances were managed by an independent administrator. Considering the existing and potential financial issues that have affected sport, this is a beneficial way to address change. There is less pressure on the business operations managers in the club, immediate stability, greater financial management expertise, and long-term security and planning in place for the titans. This decision increased security for all stakeholders, as the NRL’s CEO advised fans, sponsors, and staff that the club would remain operating.

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NRL takes control of the Gold Coast Titans » League Unlimited

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The Gold Coast Titans ‘Building Titans’ 2030 Roadmap outlines the club’s key priorities between 2021-2030, aiming to create sustained success, including the goal of financial excellence. This involves strategies to combat the financial environment of Australian sports, such as revenue growth, cost control, and diversifying income streams. The role of a business operations manager is integral in this project, as they must manage the performance, oversee all programs, conduct regular auditing and reporting, coordinate meetings with stakeholders, collaborate with departments, and oversee the submission of grants offered by government agencies.

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Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell has today launched the Club's 'Building Titans' 2030 Roadmap.

It is a landmark day for the club that has also seen the announcement of a new Club logo - learn more here.

The strategic plan - which can be viewed here - details the club's key priorities between now and 2030.

Steve Mitchell introduces the Titans 2030 Roadmap

Mitchell said the plan was about creating sustained success on and off the field for the club while making the Legion of supporters proud.

"We are delighted to be able to provide clarity on our strategic priorities which will guide where we allocate our time and resources," Mitchell said.

"Our efforts will focus on on-field success, future NRL and NRLW player development, a world class fully integrated high performance training facility, financial excellence, and ensuring every seat in Cbus Super Stadium has a Member's name on it."

Gold Coast Titans: Feel the Energy

Mitchell said that by making the plan public he wanted to make sure the club's Members and fans were a part of the journey.

"Our goal is to bring Premierships home to the Coast," Mitchell said.

"By outlining a clear roadmap of what lies ahead, we hope to take you on the journey and make you a part of our very exciting future."

The full document can be viewed here.

The Gold Coast Titans also announced that current partner MyPayNow would be moving to the front of jersey and Principal Partner position from 2022 onwards.

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Building Titans 2030 Roadmap: CEO launches strategic plan

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Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell has today launched the Club's Building Titans 2030 Roadmap.

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In 2024, the Titans produced a record growth in the legion, with 16,047 new members, which is direct evidence in their ability to combat financial issues. Increased memberships provide a more stable and substantial revenue stream and can help to offset the increased running costs – contributing to their goal of financial excellence. Business operations managers contribute to the club’s growth by developing and implementing membership strategies, managing marketing and media activities, enhancing fan engagement and the member experience, driving revenue-generating activities, utilising data and technology to oversee all operations and ultimately strengthening the Titans financial stability. 

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The Titans are excited to announce a record number of members have shown their support for the Gold Coast in 2024.

Ahead of the tenth-annual Thank You Member Round this weekend, the club has seen 16,047 members join the Legion this season - breaking last year's record of 13,162 - in another promising step forward to have a members' name on every seat at Cbus Super Stadium.

In what will be an exciting NRL / NRLW double header against the Roosters on Sunday, there is a huge list of activities planned to highlight the appreciation of support in 2024.

This includes the chance for four lucky members to sit on the bench for the entire game, and crowds to see both the NRL and NRLW teams break through a member-appreciation banner as they run out onto the field.

In addition to a spike in memberships, the Titans are also celebrating strong crowds again in 2024; highlighted by two 20,000 plus crowds across the season.

This included in Round 16 against the Warriors, when the Legion helped the Gold Coast amass a record-breaking 66-6 win; alongside Round 22, when a sold-out crowd watched the Titans dominate the Macca's Local Derby to defeat the Broncos 46-18.

The 2024 season also saw Titans members be the first to know about multiple club and player announcements including David Fifita's commitment to the club, AJ Brimson's extension until 2030, and Kieran Foran's decision to play on in 2025; alongside access to exclusive events such as the Giant Cocktail Party, away game watch parties on the Event Cinemas big screen and meet and greets at away games.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell is proud and appreciative of the immense support shown for the club in 2024.

"The support the Gold Coast communities have shown us in 2024 is something we're incredibly proud of," Mitchell said.

"Ultimately, we want a members' name on every seat at Cbus Super Stadium and consecutive years of record membership growth is what it will take to achieve this.

"We've experienced this over the past two years and interest around our progression under Des (Hasler) and Karyn (Murphy) is major element of this.

"We hope to continue to build on and off-field success in 2025 as we seek to inspire our communities through the energy the club builds.

"We've also strived to continue to make home game days an event that cannot be missed, and this is only achieved by the collaboration and support from our community."

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Titans Legion continues to grow with record membership in '24

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The Titans are excited to announce a record number of members have shown their support for the Gold Coast in 2024.