The Richmond Football Club is proud to be shortlisted for the Purpose-led Partnership with a Non-Profit Award at this year's Sport Positive Awards.
The Club has been recognised for its partnership with SisterWorks, a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to empowering women from migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeker backgrounds on their journey to economic independence.
Richmond and SisterWorks have partnered since June 2024 to turn waste into opportunity, creating a powerful model that delivers environmental sustainability and social impact through sport.
The partnership was established to address two challenges: reducing textile and merchandise waste generated through football operations, and creating meaningful employment pathways for women from refugee, migrant and asylum-seeker backgrounds. Through SisterWorks’ Sustainable Manufacturing Hub, obsolete Richmond apparel, banners, scarves and merchandise are transformed into new products including bags, lanyards, pet accessories, headbands and supporter merchandise.
To date, the partnership has diverted more than 100 kilograms of material from landfill, repurposed approximately 90 per cent of collected materials, reduced carbon emissions, and generated 250 hours of paid employment opportunities for women facing barriers to workforce participation. The initiative has created more than $50,000 in social value while supporting Richmond’s commitment to a circular economy and long-term sustainability goals.
Beyond measurable outcomes, the collaboration demonstrates how sport can be a catalyst for positive change. By combining environmental action with economic empowerment, Richmond and SisterWorks have created a scalable, purpose-led partnership that strengthens communities, reduces waste, and inspires other sporting organisations to embed sustainability and inclusion into their operations.
"We're proud to see our partnership with SisterWorks recognised by the Sport Positive Awards," Richmond General Manager Environment, Social & Governance, Michael Lacy, said.
"The partnership shows the impact that's possible when sport, sustainability and community come together. We're grateful to the SisterWorks team for their creativity, passion and partnership, and we hope this inspires other organisations to think differently about how they can create positive environmental and social impact."
Sport Positive Awards 2026 is a global industry awards that celebrates, uplifts, inspires and raises awareness of the people and organisations working in and around sport that are enabling game-changing activities that are ensuring sustainable business, climate action, biodiversity and environmental justice.
The Awards celebrate individuals and organisations across every level of the sports ecosystem who are driving a more positive future, from the world’s biggest sports franchises to grassroots community initiatives.
An independent faculty of global judges will decide who will lift the trophy for each category, and winners will be revealed during this year’s fully virtual Sport Positive Summit on October 6, 2026.
