New Richmond president Peggy O’Neal has received overwhelming backing since her appointment to the role yesterday.
“It's been delightful the outpouring of support I've received from the other club presidents, just in the past few hours, as well as from the AFL and our members and supporters,” O'Neal said on 3AW.
“One of the big challenges for me will be returning all the calls and getting through the emails.”
O’Neal, a leading superannuation lawyer, who has been on the Tigers’ board for the past eight years, is the first female president in VFL/AFL history.
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But that groundbreaking fact hasn’t been a motivating factor for her.
“With my legal background, I’ve been the only woman in a room with men for a number of years now,” she said on 3AW.
“At Richmond, I’ve found the focus has been on capability. On the board we’re all volunteers and, if you’re willing to help and volunteer, there’s always a job for you at a football club.
“There hasn’t been regard as to my gender in the opportunities that Richmond provided to me to service the Club.
“Sexism and other aspects, I really can’t say that I haven’t been just welcomed in every aspect of the Club.”
O’Neal summarised the main aim she has for the Club under her presidency . . .
“What we're really trying to do is restore Richmond to the position of significance in the AFL and the broader community that it's enjoyed in the past, and we want to see that as its future as well."
