Richmond Football Club’s Aligned Leisure business has expanded further, with the announcement of a partnership with Manningham Council.

The initial five-year partnership will see Aligned Leisure manage facilities at 10 locations, including Manningham’s major facilities, Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Mullum Mullum Stadium.

Aligned Leisure now manages facilities in 41 locations across Victoria and New South Wales with the annual visitation across those sites exceeding 4.5 million.

“This isn’t about growth for the sake of growth, this is about the capacity of Aligned Leisure to build programs and deliver services that match the needs and demographics of the Manningham community,” Aligned Leisure CEO Shane Dunne said.

“We pursue opportunities where we know we can deliver exceptional community outcomes. In partnership with Manningham Council, we are very confident that is what will be delivered.

“We can’t wait to get to work on 1 July, with the immediate focus being on connecting with existing staff and welcoming them to our Aligned Leisure family.”

Aligned Leisure focuses on community inclusion, tailoring programs that provide opportunities for all residents regardless of age, gender, cultural background, ability or socio-economic background.

“The partnership with Manningham Council is a further vote of confidence in our Aligned Leisure business,” Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said.

“Local councils quite rightly make you work hard to secure these contracts and CEO Shane Dunne and his team should be congratulated on achieving this result. I know they will do a wonderful job.

“The establishment of Aligned Leisure was a strategically significant undertaking for the Club seven years ago and its growth continues to strengthen Richmond.

“Over time, these facilities also create job opportunities and graduates from our Richmond Institute are well placed to move into these roles should it be a career direction they wish to pursue. It is one of the most unique aspects of our education offering.”