Richmond’s Tiger Army have underpinned another strong profit result.
The Tigers became the first Club in AFL / VFL history to break the 100,000-member barrier - finishing the year with 101,562 members - and it was the cornerstone of a $4.21 million net profit.
Richmond president, Peggy O’Neal once again praised the loyalty of the Tiger faithful for their unwavering support of the football club.
“Richmond members and supporters are now without question the most loyal, passionate fans in the AFL, and we thank you for the strength you give us both on and off the field,” O’Neal said.
The Club generated total revenue of $79.8 million, an increase of $14.6 million year-on-year, with record membership, crowds and sponsorship key contributors to the financial result.
In 2018, Richmond’s 100,000 membership milestone marked eight years of consecutive membership growth for the Club.
The Club also finished AFL number one for total home-and-away crowds (1.19 million), and AFL number one for average home crowds (61,175) in season 2018.
Further growth in the Club’s health and recreation business, Aligned Leisure, also added to the Club’s operating result.
In 2018, Aligned Leisure successfully tendered for management rights to facilities in Albury/Wodonga, and more recently in Mildura, with the Mildura contract commencing in the first week of November, 2018.
The Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership (RISL) – delivered in partnership with Swinburne University - also continues to grow.
Student enrolments have increased and RISL will now further expand its reach to deliver a course in Albury/Wodonga from 2019. The course also now includes international learning experiences making it a truly unique educational experience.
“Both Aligned Leisure and the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership were key undertakings of the Board to ensure we diversified the Club’s revenue streams, so as to reduce our reliance on football-generated revenues. It is pleasing to see both operations performing so strongly,” O’Neal said.
Additional highlights of 2018 include the Richmond’s inaugural VFLW team, who won four games in their first season, and created a strong foundation to develop the program in 2019 and prepare for the Club’s first AFLW season in 2020.
The Club also continues to invest significantly in its community programming and partnerships.
Richmond’s partnership with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation continues to strengthen after six years of partnership, supporting the Foundation’s important work to protect children from violence and bullying.
The Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) also continues to work relentlessly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. It is important work and central to the Club’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Richmond remains the only sporting club in Australia to have its RAP recognised as being in Elevate status for its demonstrated leadership.
Richmond’s commitment to diversity and inclusion saw the Club enter a team in the inaugural Victorian Wheelchair Football League and renew its sponsorship of the Midsumma Festival.
The Club also continued to deliver the Bachar Houli Academy in partnership with the AFL and, for the first time, the Academy included female participants.
Click here for Richmond’s 2018 Concise Financial Report.
