The Richmond Football Club has announced a new five-year Strategic Partnership with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at an event at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra today.
The announcement formalises a long-standing collaboration between Richmond and the ADF since 2012, for programs associated with Richmond’s Centre for Indigenous Leadership, the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI), and the Australian Defence Force Australian Rules Association (ADFAR).
ADFAR encourages and promotes Australian Rules Football among ADF members and provides the opportunity for service men and women to participate at all competition levels.
Their programs include mens and womens interservice competition, best of ADF All Stars, ANZAC Cup competitions, Indigenous football development, and wheelchair ‘Aussie Rules’ for members undergoing rehabilitation and recovery from injury and illness.
“Through our collaboration with the Australian Defence Force, we have found a similar desire to ensure we’re attracting, developing and retaining talent throughout our respective industries,” Richmond CEO, Brendon Gale said at the partnership launch in Canberra.
“Both the ADF and Richmond have strong commitments to ensuring that we harness the broadest talents and represent the diversity of our communities,” Gale said.
“Our game of football is an inclusive one, and we believe that this partnership will only strengthen and complement both organisations ability to harness diverse talent and provide opportunities to play the game at the highest levels.
“Further collaboration between ADF and Richmond, both on and off the field, will only strengthen these shared objectives.”
“We’re proud of the important work of the women and men of ADF, and look forward to hosting the National Carnival at Richmond Football Club’s Swinburne Centre next month."
Commenting on the partnership, Major General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO said, “We are delighted to be announcing our strategic partnership with the Richmond Football Club today.”
“The ADF encourages and promotes the sport of Aussie Rules among our members regardless of gender, cultural background or physical ability.
“There is a natural alignment between the Richmond Football Club and the ADF in the areas of youth mentoring, diversity and leadership, which means both organisations can focus on enhancing team skills, sense of identity and physical courage.”
In its existing relationship, Richmond has supported the ADF’s Indigenous football team during the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholl’s Round. The team played a curtain-raiser game before the VFL’s Dreamtime match at the Swinburne Centre, Punt Road Oval.
The ADF engaged in cultural development through Richmond’s KGI. The KGI develops our next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
The ADF has also partnered with the KGI and participated in National Reconciliation Week events, and supported the KGI’s Dreamtime Career Expo.
