Richmond’s standalone VFL team has secured the prized signature of recently-retired AFL star Aaron Davey for the 2014 season.
Davey announced his retirement from AFL football earlier this year, after 10 seasons, 178 games and 174 goals at Melbourne.
The 30-year-old will continue his playing career while incorporating a coaching and mentoring role with Richmond’s new VFL team, as well as undertaking a role with the Club's Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI).
“I’m super excited. It’s a great thing for the Club, being first year standalone, which is pretty special,” Davey said.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to have a bit of a run around with the boys, but also play a coaching and mentoring role to some of these younger guys coming through, and more in particular, the Indigenous guys.
“It’s something I’m really passionate about. For the Indigenous guys, it’s going to be amazing for me to work with them.”
Davey has been maintaining his fitness levels in the off-season, after playing his last AFL game in Round 23.
“I’ve still been doing some training in the off-season. I went up to Darwin and had a run-around with my younger brothers, which was something I wanted to do when I finished,” he said.
“I’ve still got passion and desire to have a kick around of the footy, and I’m looking forward to wearing the Yellow and Black.”
Davey’s work with the KGI will encompass leadership, mentoring and life skills.
“I think in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community we need a lot more male role models, and positive ones,” he said.
“Hopefully working with the KGI, if we can give some of the schools and groups that go through there some advice and direction on life, hopefully they can take some things out of that and become successful in whatever they choose to do.”
Before he settles into his next playing venture with the Richmond’s VFL team, Davey is off to New Zealand later this week as part of his full-time role with AFL SportsReady.
Davey will provide coaching and mentoring for the AFL’s Flying Boomerangs, a personal development and leadership program for 14 and 15-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men.
Richmond’s VFL team is supported by the Club’s development partners, SCF Group and Jeep.
