The Sydney Swans have announced a profit for a fifth successive year and are targeting topping the 50,000 member mark for the 2016 AFL season.

The Swans recorded a profit of $300,397 for the 2015 financial year and it was achieved on revenue of $45.5 million.

Although the club is debt free and has net assets of $2 million, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham noted it had to make a significant investment in a new administration and training facility in the near future.

The Swans reported a 9.5 per cent growth in sponsorship and hospitality revenue and an 8.4 per cent rise in members to 48,836.

Sydney attracted a national cumulative TV audience of 19.5 million and home attendances for games played at the SCG and ANZ Stadium averaged 36,672.

“Sydney remains one of, if not the most challenging and competitive sporting markets in the world, so to post our fifth consecutive profit is a fantastic achievement,” Pridham said.

“We continue to invest fully in our football department and are pleased to see our significant investment in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy providing talent outcomes for the club and the entire competition.

“Our membership, driven by an increase particularly in junior membership, once again hit record highs in 2015 and we hope next season to top the 50,000 member mark for the first time.”

Lynn Ralph has advised the Swans’ board she will retire as a director when her current term concludes at the club’s AGM next February.

Ms Ralph has been a director since 2007 and prior to joining the Sydney Swans board, was a member of the AFL NSW/ACT Commission.

She will remain involved with the Swans, playing a role in assessing the potential for them to bid for a license in the AFL’s National Women’s League.

Tim Worner, chief executive officer of Seven West Media Limited, has accepted an invitation to be appointed to the board from the AGM.