The Big 4 - www.tigersbig4.com.au2 December, 2004
Dear Fellow Richmond Member,
Richmond Football Club ElectionWe are delighted to provide you with our vision for restoring the mighty Richmond Football Club to its rightful position as one of the most feared and respected clubs in the AFL - a 'Big 4' Melbourne-based club - both on and off the field.
In addition to our vision and strategy for the Club, you will see that our plans have the full support of some of the most respected and revered names in the history of the Tigers.
There is a lot of talk in this election about 'stability'. Re-electing Clinton Casey will not bring stability to the Richmond Football Club. Stability will only come from electing a leadership team with the acumen and integrity to be trusted with rebuilding the Club's finances and uniting the Richmond Football Family.
As you will see, great care has been taken in assembling the 'Big 4' Team. We are a united force and we invite you - our fellow Members - to join with some Tiger legends in sharing our vision for the future.
We hope you will take the time to carefully read about the 'Big 4'. Please follow the 'how to vote card' by voting for all 9 members of the 'Big 4' Team. Remember, you must lodge your vote by 17 December 2004.
EAT 'EM ALIVE!!!!!!!! Signed:
Charles Macek Bryan Wood Sharon Hall
Brendan Schwab Trevor Barrot Colin Radford
Michael Humphris Robert Edgley Peter Welsh
The Big 4 Brochure [PDF File] -
http://www.rhettrospective.com/Big%204.pdf---------------------------------------------------------
"I believe strongly that Clinton Casey came in on a banner of 'time for a change' because we hadn't had success. Five years later nothing has changed. Traveling in on the train to watch Richmond play over the past few years, and traveling home again after another loss -I have seen and shared the disappointment and disillusionment of so many Richmond people. In the end,
I just want to see Richmond win - on and off the field. The record of the past five years speaks for itselt No one can claim that we are better off than we were five years ago. That's why I am supporting change and the Tigers' 'Big 4' team." -
Francis Bourke---------------------------------------------------------------
The Big 4 -
www.tigersbig4.com.auDear fellow Tiger,
We would like to introduce ourselves to you and to outline our vision and strategy to ensure that the Richmond Football Club regains its place at top of the AFL competition.
We are:
Trevor Barrot Robert Edgley Sharon Hall
Michael Humphris Charles Macek Colin Radford
Brendan Schwab Bryan Wood Peter Welsh
We have deliberately included this single sheet on behalf of all nine members of the Tigers' Big 4 team, because we sincerely believe that the Richmond family has been divided for too long and only a team - committed to working together for the benefit of the Club and its supporters - can deliver sustained success.
With this in mind we would encourage you, in filling out your ballot paper, to mark the box next to the names of all nine members of the Tigers' Big 4 team, as shown above.
A far more detailed document with individual candidates' biographies and endorsements from some of the most respected names in the history of our proud Club has also been mailed to you. You may have already received this document or should do so shortly.
We have also established a website:
www.tigersbig4.com.au, where you can down load our strategy, plan and credentials. We will be updating this site throughout our campaign.
We hope you will take the time to carefully read about the 'Big 4' before casting your vote in this election, which will shape the future of our famous Club.
The starting point in any plan is to set in place a strong and united leadership team with the acumen and integrity to be trusted with the task of rebuilding the Club's finances. .
You may have recently received the 2004 RFC Annual Report which shows that the Club recorded a loss of $2.19 million for this year, the worst in the history of the Club. This is on top of the $880,000 loss in 2003 - leading to a combined loss in excess of $3 million over the past two years.
With all of these factors in mind, we would ask you to read this summary [Ed. below] of the Tigers' Big 4 vision.
--------------------------------------------------
The Tigers' Big 4 Team
"Our aim is to restore the Richmond Football Club to its rightful position as one of the most feared and respected clubs in the AFL - a Big 4 Melbourne-based club - both on and off the field."
------------------------------------------------------------
ONE- The TigerThe name, jumper, emblem, song and home (Punt Road) are the icons of our famous Club. We will ensure the Richmond Tiger - and all that it represents - is valued as a Big 4 club. This will be measured by:
- the AFL fixture and blockbuster status for the Tigers; - sponsorship revenue;
- the financial and professional support of coterie groups; and - merchandise sales and revenue.
TWO - The TeamNext to our fans, our players are our most important asset. Playing for Richmond will be a Big 4 opportunity for the game's best players. We will:
- build our finances to ensure we can pay 100% of the salary cap;
- re-energise the Jack Dyer Foundation for its stated purpose;
- ensure our player welfare and development programmes are world's best practice;
- commit our future to the MCG through new negotiations with the MCC and the AFL;
- negotiate a new lease for the Punt Road Oval that gives the players access to facilities that match the AFL's best; and
- ensure our team is supported by an absolute commitment to implementing the latest and most sophisticated sports science and conditioning methods.
THREE - The FansThe fans are the heart and soul of the club and have supported the Tigers through thick and thin. As the Board, we will reciprocate and build on that loyalty and commitment. No other factor will be more important to our success than:
- a membership base of 40,000, or 10% of all Tiger fans; - average attendances of 40,000; and
- blockbuster crowds of 60,000 plus.
FOUR - The FinancesOf course, securing the financial viability and future of the Richmond Football Club is essential if we are to implement our plan. We now know that the Club has lost $3 million over the past two years. Our first job will be to restore our financial position and achieve a positive trading result and working capital position. We will do this by:
- adopting the highest standards of corporate governance under the leadership and guidance of Charles Macek and Mike Humphris, both internationally respected experts in this field; and
- re-engaging with influential supporters who have "walked" in recent years disillusioned with the Club's culture and performance; their direct financial contribution, business networks and expertise will be needed to supplement limited Club resources.
We thank you for taking the time to read this material and hope you share our vision to restore Richmond to its rightful position as a Big 4 AFL powerhouse.