In the latest of a series of regular columns, Richmond President Peggy O’Neal talks to members and supporters about the 2019 home and away season and what lies ahead.

Dear Members and Supporters,

I would like to start my second column of the year talking about you – our loyal members and fans. The entire Club is humbled by the magnificent support you provide us. To break the 100,000-member barrier for the second time, and push on to a new Club record of 103,358 (as at 31 July) , is simply remarkable. The strength that gives the playing group should never be underestimated and they thrive in the knowledge the Tiger Army is marching with them.

Beyond that, memberships provide a financial foundation which enables us to do the things necessary to keep the Club growing and allows us to plan for the future.

While the membership number is a source of enormous pride, I must admit that, as I walked away from the Round 23 game against Brisbane, I was simply stunned by the support of the Tiger faithful. No less than 76,995 were at the MCG last Sunday afternoon.

To put the achievement in perspective, the crowd was 4,227 more than any home and away game has ever attracted in Melbourne against an interstate opponent. It was also 18,274 beyond that of any other match Richmond has played against an interstate team in Melbourne and 30,034 more than our biggest crowd against Brisbane. It was a wonderful show of support in what was a very big game and also resulted in the Club again finishing the season with the highest average home game attendance of 59,987. We talk a lot about connection at Richmond and the connection between the team and our fans is palpable. Thank you.

Our AFL team has faced many challenges this season but the coaching staff and players have done a wonderful job, winning enough games to see us finish in third place on the ladder at the end of the home and away season. Injuries made life difficult for the team in the early part of the season but, as we often hear, that creates opportunity. A number of our young players grabbed their opportunity with both hands and showed that they were ready. Some have been recognised more broadly with Sydney Stack, Shai Bolton and Liam Baker all receiving Rising Star nominations. Jack Ross was unlucky not to join them before he was injured.

We are also very proud that two of our more experienced players made the All Australian team for the first time.  Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli have been stalwarts at Tigerland for many years, and I know that we are all pleased that they have finally received this recognition.

So we push in September for the sixth time in the past seven seasons, and the last three have found us in the top four. It is such an exciting time of year and I trust each of you enjoy the exhilaration of our finals campaign. Who knows what lies ahead, but what we can say with certainty is that this team has shown enormous resilience and commitment to setting up the opportunity that now presents itself. The whole Club knows there is a lot of hard work ahead but, equally, we know the coaches and players will leave no stone unturned in their preparation. On behalf of the members and supporters, I wish them well.

Pleasingly our VFL, VFLW and VWFL teams have also made the finals. Our VFL team finished on top of the ladder. They will play Essendon in a Qualifying Final at Punt Road this Saturday. Our VFLW team has made the finals for the first time (having been in existence for only two years) and play an Elimination Final against the Western Bulldogs at Port Melbourne on Sunday. And our Victorian Wheelchair Football League team plays Collingwood in the Grand Final this Sunday at the Boroondara Sports Centre.

Congratulations to all those involved! Come along and support all our teams in their finals matches.

Off-field, we are working diligently to deliver a sound business that will underpin our football and community programs long into the future.

We continue to work to secure the funds needed to redevelop Punt Road Oval which will not only enable us to support our ever-expanding football program but will also deliver an important community asset. It was pleasing to secure $15 million in Federal Government funding for this project, and we continue to have discussions with other levels of Government, and key stakeholders, to source the balance of funding required to deliver this facility  Concept designs are progressing and we hope to be in a position to share them with you soon.

Off-field, there have been many things to be proud of this season: too many to mention in this column, but I wanted to single out three.

First, it was with great pride that the Club was recently recognised twice in the 2019 Australian Business Awards for its Community Contribution and being an Employer of Choice. It was humbling to receive external affirmation for the community contribution that we make as well as confirmation that Tigerland is a good place to work.

Second, the Club recently launched its Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP). As we become an increasingly diverse nation, it is critical that our employees, membership and fan base reflect that fact.  Our DIAP provides the roadmap for achieving that outcome. It is a significant and important piece of work.

Third, I want to acknowledge the Club's off-field team. These people are the ones with whom our members most often interact and  are an enormously committed and connected group who thrive on the challenge of improving an all-ready great Club and providing you with an organisation of which you can be proud.  I thank all of them for their hard work.

So let’s enjoy September and all that it brings!

Go Tigers!

Peggy O’Neal
President
Richmond Football Club

If you have any queries on anything during the year, please send it to my Club email address president@richmondfc.com.au  and I will answer them in my next column.