$6.75 million boost for Tigers (The Age)

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$6.75m boost for Tigers
Caroline Wilson and Michael Gleeson | July 19, 2008

THE Richmond football club's long-term future at Punt Road has been guaranteed by a massive multi-million dollar injection from the Federal Government to be announced at today's Richmond-Essendon game by deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The $6.75 million Federal Government injection into the Punt Road development will ensure that all of the Tigers' planned $19 million training facility and Indigenous Centre of Excellence will be built, to be completed by mid-2010. The redevelopment sees the Tigers rocket into the top echelon of AFL club facilities.

The Government's latest $6.7 million contribution comes on top of $2 million in Federal funds previously committed to the redevelopment, with the new funding to be used largely for the building of the indigenous centre. It is the largest government sum to be contributed to an individual club in AFL history.

It is no coincidence that the announcement comes on the day that Richmond plays Essendon — with the AFL's elite indigenous KickStart camp game as a curtain-raiser — as the two clubs have pioneered the Dreamtime at the 'G game, celebrating aboriginal and indigenous culture and talent in the game.

The rebuilding of Richmond's Punt Road headquarters began with the earlier $7 million construction of the indoor pool, offices and administration centre. The State Government has also contributed $2 million to the total works package, the Yarra Council $2 million, the AFL $1.5 million and the club a further $2 million raised through the Jack Dyer Foundation.

As part of the works, to start in December, the Punt Road Oval will be extended to the same dimensions as Telstra Dome. The surface will also be re-laid and made 'drought-proof'. The old social club building will be pulled down and a community facility and new social club area built.

The Punt Road Oval works are in addition to the new $8 million training centre being built at Richmond's new Craigieburn summer training base.

The cost for that facility is being shared primarily between the State Government and the developer, Stockland, without any financial contribution from the club.

Richmond president Gary March refused to comment last night on today's announcement but is understood to have pledged at a private lunch in the Richmond social club yesterday in honour of the Jack Dyer Foundation that the Tigers would remain at Punt Road for the next 100 years.

The indigenous centre, which has been the brainchild of the club, led by chief executive Steven Wright and strong lobbying from Richmond footballer Richard Tambling, will embrace both male and female members of the indigenous community from around Victoria, who will take part in training at educational facilities shared by the club.

As a result of Richmond's funding coup, the club can now concentrate on repaying a further chunk from its worrying $4 million debt.

Richmond's indigenous learning centre follows North Melbourne's deal with the State Government, the City of Melbourne and the AFL to create a migrant training centre at Arden Street, which the Kangaroos hope will secure their future in Melbourne.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/675m-boost-for-tigers/2008/07/18/1216163159060.html

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Richmond' punt pays off for indigenous footy
Mark Stevens | July 19, 2008

AFL club Richmond has landed $6.75 million in federal government funding for an indigenous learning centre at Punt Rd Oval.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard will announce the funding boost at the MCG today before the Tigers' clash with Essendon.

The centre, called the Australian Institute for Indigenous Learning and Skills Development, will cap off the redevelopment of Richmond's historic home ground.

Work on a $20 million facelift of Punt Rd Oval will start soon.

The indigenous institute will focus on elite football and will be open to boys and girls.

Richmond hopes to encourage indigenous youth to stay at school longer before going on to further education and training.

The cornerstone of the bold initiative will be the creation of the REAL (Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leaders) camps.

Through the camps, Richmond hopes to provide experiences in four areas -- personal development, skill acquisition, role modelling and mentoring, and health and lifestyle education.

Up to 300 indigenous youths every year will complete programs at Punt Rd.

The Tigers have been lobbying the Government for several months, with the support of emerging indigenous midfielder Richard Tambling.

"This is a great day for bridging the gap with indigenous kids and there is no better way to do it than through footy, given over 87,000 indigenous people are involved in AFL Australia wide," Tambling said yesterday.

Richmond chief executive Steven Wright said the Tigers had been working with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for some time on the issue of helping the indigenous youth.

"The Deputy Prime Minister has already flagged increasing school attendance amongst indigenous students, improving literacy and numeracy, and improving the health of indigenous young people through prevention, education and sport," Mr Wright said.

"We believe our institute will compliment current and future government policy in this area."

The Tigers promote indigenous issues through the annual "Dreamtime at the G" game against Essendon.

They also have a an AFL fostership program in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24042419-2862,00.html