Richmond Football Club President Peggy O’Neal has paid tribute to the Club’s members and fans whose support has underpinned the Club’s 11^th consecutive profit.

Richmond has announced an operating profit of $458,586 for the financial year ended 31 October.

“A clear vision and a well-executed plan, combined with the amazing support of the Tiger fans and business partners, has been the key to another strong result,” O’Neal said.

The Club achieved this result off a revenue base of $46.7 million, an increase of $2.3 million year-on-year. Its net asset position increased to $24.2 million.

Richmond now has cash reserves in excess of $2 million, which represents a turnaround of almost $7 million based on the Club’s debt position five years ago.

“The board has been very clear in recent years that we needed to clear debt, and significantly increase investment in football, and we continue to deliver on that promise,” O’Neal said.

“In 2015, the Club invested $8 million more in football than it did in 2010, and there has been a consistent trend over those five years.

“This investment has underpinned significantly improved football performance, which has seen the Club participate in the past three finals series. While this is encouraging, I can assure members and fans that we continue to work diligently as a Club to bring the ultimate prize back to Punt Road.

“While delivering on both those fronts, we are still able to report the Club’s 11^th consecutive profit – an outstanding result given we operate in such a competitive market.

“The challenge for our board and management is to continue to grow our business, in line with our strategic plan, so the Club has a stable financial basis for its future.

“Our improved financial position allows us to consider mid-to-long term investment decisions to better insulate the Club from any downturn in on-field performance.”

2015 highlights

• Home and away attendances of 1.05 million, ranked number one in the AFL.
• TV audiences of 16 million, representing an increase of 13%.
• Record sponsorship revenue.
• Record corporate and coterie revenue.
• Record membership of 71,339.
• Record engagement with the Club's digital communication platforms.
• Continued development of the Club’s community programming, including the Club’s preferred charity partnership with The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in the Korin Gamadji Institute.
• Continued commitment to the partnership with the Shire of Cardinia – one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities. As part of this, the Club will play a pre-season game against Hawthorn in Beaconsfield, in February, 2016.
• Richmond’s leadership role in Australian sport concerning gender equity. The Club was the driving force behind the development of the Elite Sport Male Champions of Change, which now includes 15 CEOs representing seven different sports.