Tigers' Picnic in the Park a resounding success
2:42:00 PM Mon 20 March, 2006
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Tribal Fever was on display in all its passionate glory at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill yesterday (Sunday, March 19) when more than 5000 Richmond supporters gathered to celebrate the Tigers' annual Family Day.
The popular event had to be shifted away from Punt Road this year due to Commonwealth Games parking restrictions, so the Club turned to its traditional suburban recruiting heartland as a substitute venue.
Given the overwhelming success of the day, it certainly won't be the last time Jells Park plays host to the Tiger Tribe.
Richmond's CEO Steven Wright was understandably delighted with the huge turnout at Family Day.
"Driving out to Jells Park, I had no idea how many people would come to Family Day. After all, it was away from Punt Road, the Commonwealth Games marathons were on, there were major traffic disruptions in Melbourne, and the MCG had been sold to capacity. To be honest, I was expecting less than 2500 people," Wright said.
"Yet, despite all that, we managed to smash our previous Family Day attendance records, with a crowd conservatively estimated at 5000. We sold substantially more memberships than last year and had fans eagerly queuing all day to get players' autographs, have their photo taken with the players, and even to take shots at 'dunking' the players.
"It shows that even when we move from the hallowed turf of Punt Road, the fans will continue to support us and, in fact, moving other activities into the heartland of the eastern suburbs on occasions is something we will need to consider, given the clear levels of support we have in that region.
"It was a great day all-round, and a real team effort by all the Club's staff who worked there to make everything run as smoothly as possible."
Although the queues to the autograph booths at one stage were as long as two (or maybe even three) Brett Deledio 'torps', the fans weren't complaining. They simply reveled in the wonderful Tigerish atmosphere which pervaded the spacious Jells Park on a superb autumn Sunday.
There was already a good crowd in attendance by 10.30am when the Family Day festivities officially kicked off.
By 12.30pm when Richmond coach Terry Wallace took centre stage to introduce the players and present their 2006 guernseys, Jells Park had been turned into a sea of Yellow and Black.
Wallace told the attentive audience that one of the major attractions of the Richmond coaching job in the first place, was the Club's huge supporter base.
The vast numbers at the Jells Park Family Day further highlighted this - and had Wallace hoping for similar support when the Tiger team does battle on the field throughout the '06 season.
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