Richmond officially launched its VFL team today, confirming that football will return to Punt Road Oval, at the ME Bank Centre, in 2014.
The Tigers will enter its own team in the VFL competition from next year, after ending its alignment with Coburg at the end of the 2013 season.
The number of games to be played at Richmond’s home base will be confirmed when the 2014 VFL fixture is released later this month.
The outstanding support of the Fighting Tiger Fund (FTF), and significantly improved business performance, has allowed the Club to establish its own VFL team.
Visit the VFL homepage on richmondfc.com.au
Richmond’s VFL team is supported by the Club’s development partners, SCF Group and Jeep.
“We recognised a long time ago that it was critical for Richmond to have its own VFL team, to fast-track the development of our young players,” said Richmond’s CEO Brendon Gale.
“We were able to achieve that goal thanks to the wonderful contributions of our FTF contributors. Importantly, our improved business performance has also enabled us to commit to important football decisions such as this.
“Bringing our VFL team home to play games at our iconic home base was a huge focus for us, and we will be working hard over the next few months to complete work on the interface around the oval, to give our fans the opportunity to watch games at Punt Road Oval, at the ME Bank Centre.”
Sign up as a Richmond member for the 2014 season today
Richmond’s 2014 VFL playing list was unveiled at the launch, and includes former Melbourne star Aaron Davey, who will play an on-field coaching and mentoring role, as well as having an involvement with Richmond’s Korin Gamadji Institute.
Also confirmed to line up for the VFL Tigers in 2014 are former Sydney and Western Bulldogs utility Ed Barlow, former St Kilda midfielder and Richmond development coach Andrew McQualter, and former Geelong key position player Ryan Bathie.
Former Perth Football Club midfielder and Sandover medallist, Ross Young, was named Richmond’s inaugural VFL captain.
The side will be coached by Tigers’ development coach Tim Clarke, who led the Tigers in the final year of its VFL alignment in 2013.
Richmond’s VFL team will wear a playing strip based on the Tigers’ new AFL clash strip.
