From the RFC website...
Tonight, Richmond held its second Fighting Tiger Fund Dinner. The Club took another enormous step forward, and is now within touching distance if its $6 million target.
A further $2.3 million was raised, thanks to the outstanding support of several key donors, and the 150 people in the room. The FTF tally now sits at $5.5 million.
The Richmond board identified a number of key investments the Club needed to make when it launched the Fighting Tiger Fund. The Club needed to:
• Continue to invest in its recruiting and list analysis structure, so we can continue to build the depth of our playing list.
• Build its financial muscle to allow us to effectively manage total player payments and, in turn, ensure we are well-positioned for free agency.
• Invest in its high-performance program, which required an investment in equipment and coaching and development staff.
• Develop its second-tier structure to fast-track the development of younger players.
• Continue to reduce the burden of debt to allow us to pay 100% of the salary cap and be favourably placed for the introduction of free agency.
“All of this was about building a Club that can develop an era of sustained success and, of course, all of this requires financial support,” March said.
“I am very pleased that we are drawing so close to our final target.
“We had some individuals make some very significant donations tonight. They don’t wish to be identified, but they know who they are, and we will be forever grateful for the magnificent contribution they have made.”
Read the full article here: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/137605/default.aspx
it's great news by the club.
The only criticism is the continuation of our association with coburg.
In light of the goal to fast track development for our young players I would of thought going with our own VFL team was of high priority.
I know it is but signing a new deal with coburg was a real shock. The pies have their own team as do the cats and now the bombers will have their own team ahead if us also.
There's no confusion, we're locked into a 3 year deal with Coburg until 2014.
At the beginning of 2011 one of our goals was a VFL stand alone team, but come the end of 2011 that changed.
We decided to do that due to A) The AFL saying they would raise fees associated with going it along re: VFL side and B) AFL Victoria saying they were looking at the future of the competition.
Coburg Head Coach Adam Potter is very much close to the senior coaches and he spends the off-season in our big sessions, he knows the way we want to play and is pretty accommodating.
