It started with one small idea and a bold decision by the Richmond Football Club to create a Sports Leadership and Management course, in partnership with Swinburne University, that saw the inaugural students – the Class of 2017, graduate at a ceremony last night.

Many of the 41 course graduates, delivered by the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership (RISL) have been employed through either the Club, its subsidiary business – Aligned Leisure, or Club partners.

Others have chosen to continue their education through the guaranteed placement into a Swinburne University course.

Speaking at the graduation, Richmond CEO, Brendon Gale reflected on the program, describing the first year as a remarkable success.

As an elite sporting club, Richmond is in the business of performance, sports management and leadership, and Gale realises the unique opportunity and experience the students can have at the Tigers.

“We’ve got so much knowledge to share and so much value to add…to obviously the participants,” Gale said.

“We are in an environment that is absolutely, passionately committed to growth.

“You will often see the word ‘thrive’ around the place…thrive is about personal growth, it’s about professional growth, it’s about emotional growth and development.”

Western Australian student, Teneal Garlett expressed the gratitude to the Club, the Institute and Swinburne University for an unexpected experience.

Garlett and her sister Sam arrived in Melbourne so that Sam could pursue her dream of playing in the AFLW.

Walking past the Richmond Football Club, they decided to pop in ask about the programs that were available, and discovered the RISL course.

“From then on the Richmond Football Club has taken us on as a family,” said Garlett.

“The opportunities that the Club created for us were amazing, and winning the grand final just topped it off.

“An amazing Club that gives so much, with great staff and players had been rewarded.

“From running clinics with the boys, assisting on game days, assisting the membership team, to the Swinburne lunch and the Indigenous Uni Games, where we represented Swinburne were all great opportunities.”

“We will be forever grateful for these opportunities.”

As the Club farewells the inaugural group of students, the class of 2018 – with 132 students will have their first class at the Swinburne Centre, Punt Road Oval on Monday to begin their Richmond education journey.

For more information about the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership, click here.