Richmond signs 30,000th memberRichmond Football Club is pleased to announce it has hit the 30,000 member mark for season 2010.
At the close of business on Thursday, the Club had signed 30,159 members.
“Despite the fact that this membership number compares very favourably with other AFL Clubs, we have set ourselves very ambitious targets with membership both this year and beyond,” Richmond CEO Brendan Gale said.
“The Club is thrilled to have welcomed almost 2,000 new members on board in 2010. It is testament to the commitment of these supporters, who are now members, that they have made this commitment after a disappointing 2009.
“The Club joined 12,000 new members in 2009, which indicates Richmond’s support is as strong as any other club.
“If you have never been a member, the club needs you to commit in 2010 and be part of the biggest transformation we have ever seen,’ he said.
The Club has been buoyed by the re-signing of rising star Trent Cotchin, who noted that the support of the members and supporters was a factor in his decision to commit to the Club until the end of the 2013 season.
Despite the 30,000 member target being reached, Gale issued a warning to members that 2010 was not the year to be reconsidering their commitment to the club.
“Of the 12,000 new members who joined in 2009 on the back of an exciting finish to 2008, only 3,632 have renewed in 2010,” he said.
“It is these members who hold the key to Richmond proving to the entire football world that our supporters are with us through the good times and the bad. At this point a 30% retention rate on first year 2009 members does not indicate this.”
Gale congratulated and thanked long-serving Richmond members who have once more showed their loyalty to the club, with retention rates at an all time high for longer serving membership categories.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/90226/default.aspx
