Richmond Football Club's recently launched point-of-difference sports industry network program, Punt Road Collective, is thrilled to announce Straight Bat as its inaugural Premium Partner.
Straight Bat is an income-oriented private equity investor that 'plays the long game', investing in mature, robust, and profitable Australian businesses.
Managing Partner, Steve Gledden, said that Straight Bat jumped at the chance to become a Premium Partner of Punt Road Collective.
"We invest for old-fashioned reasons - income, wealth preservation and sustainable growth," he said.
"With $500 million in Funds Under Management, 11 portfolio companies and the support of 400 of Australia's leading investors and business owners, we are proud of the reputation we have built.
"Richmond's 140-year Tigerland legacy places it among the most iconic clubs in Australian sport — with the colours, the mascot and the song to match.”
Gledden added that Punt Road Collective's practical limit of 50 memberships for year one created a rare opportunity to be part of something special.
"We did not want to miss it,” Gledden said.
"Straight Bat plays the long game, just as Richmond has for generations — building success on deep roots, resilience through adversity, a culture of elite performance and community connection.
“We are proud to stand alongside a club whose values and history resonate strongly with our own."
Richmond CEO Shane Dunne welcomed Straight Bat to Punt Road Collective.
"We are delighted to have Straight Bat as Punt Road Collective's first Premium Partner," he said.
"Steve and the team at Straight Bat can see real value in what we are looking to achieve with this program, its focus away from the game, and on networking and client entertainment.
"We are already attracting a lot of interest for Punt Road Collective and given the restriction on members in our first year, it is a good time to call the team soon.”
By focusing on an intimate program, Punt Road Collective will place an emphasis on making its partners feel valued and delivering ROI.
With the 2026 AFL fixture released last week, Punt Road Collective will soon share a detailed brochure outlining the year ahead for the program and its partners. Click here to find out more about the Punt Road Collective.
