Up until 2017, Laura and Mathias lived in Venezuela, and didn’t know AFL existed. Now, they can’t imagine their lives without the Tiger Army.
The roar of the Tiger Army, the Yellow and Black posters around Swan Street, it was all new to Laura and her son Mathias when they moved from Venezuela in South America to Melbourne.
Laura started her first job in Melbourne at the iconic Swan Street store Bertie’s Butcher, and has been there ever since.
With Spanish being her first language, it was a hard task in the beginning to connect with customers, but she soon realised their common ground was AFL, and particularly, the Richmond Football Club.
“I could serve at least 60 people a day and everyone just wanted to talk about footy,” Laura said.
“It helped me create connections and made me wonder what I was missing out on.”
It was then her son, Mathias, would often come to Bertie’s Butcher when Laura was working.
During this time, he was dazzled by the Yellow and Black merchandise, and ongoing discussions about key Richmond players and moments.
Soon, Laura and Mathias started watching games together, and before they knew it, the TV screen progressed to them sitting in the almighty Richmond cheer squad at the MCG.
“The cheer squad is something else. You stomp your feet, yell and scream, and everyone loves it,” Laura said.
“We sit with the same people, week in week out. And now the familiar faces feel like family.”
Together, Laura and Mathias have also influenced their family in Venezuela to jump on board the Tiger train.
Any spare Richmond merchandise they get their hands on is soon shipped across the waters to South America, where it is proudly worn by family members.
Core memories stem from match days with the cheer squad, to watching games together in front of the TV. But, Laura’s favourite memory was being on Swan Street when Richmond won the 2019 Grand Final.
“It was something I’d never seen or experienced before,” she said.
“The street was full of people chanting and singing, there were people on top of cars.
“It was crazy, but incredible, and a core memory that I will never forget.”
The mother and son duo were lucky to attend Dustin Martin’s 300th match at the MCG in July earlier this year.
The pair knew how special it was to witness such an historic football moment.
“The loudest football moment we have ever experienced was at Dusty’s 300th when he kicked the first goal.” Laura said.
“It was an incredible to be there, as he is so much more than a Richmond player, he is history.”
Together, Laura and Mathias will look back on their special Richmond memories for years to come, and they can’t wait to create many more with you, the Tiger Army.
One Richmond. One Tiger Army. Click here to view membership options.
Make sure to stop in at Bertie’s Butcher! You can find them at 218 Swan Street, 3121 Richmond.
