[Comment From Jim: ]
Hi Brendan, what is the timeframe for raising the $6M for the Fighting Tiger Fund and what are the consequences if we don't get the $6M by this time?
The Fighting Tiger Fund is a year long campaign running from the eve of this season to the eve of 2012 season. However its fair to say that most of the action will be concentrated into the next few months. We have nothing to lose in running the campaign, every dollar raised will build our financial strength and our capacity to invest in our football department to the extent that we should.
[Comment From tiger bill: ]
Hi Ben, do you think we can get 50000 members this year?
I think we are a real chance, its an ambitious goal but we are an ambitious club. We have brought members to the very centre of our football club we have raised our levels of customer service, our membership products provide great value and we are communicating much better with our members. With a first class coach, a talented young team there is much to look forward to over the next few years.
Who wouldnt want to be a member?
[Comment From Wayne: ]
The PNG Rookies sound promising, do you think they will make it?
They're a chance, it's an innovative step from our recruiting department. PNG has a significant population right on our doorstep and they have a real appetitie for our game.
[Comment From Shayne: ]
Thanks for your time Brendan. What are current membership levels at?
We are currently at around 34,000 and are quite happy with the way we are travelling, and climbing.
[Comment From Gus: ]
What are the chances of A) a stand-alone VFL side for Richmond, and B) reserves football being played at Punt Rd Oval in the near future?
We are very happy with our allignment with Coburg at the moment. However recent history highlgihts that those teams who have their own reserves teams and full control of the development of their players are more likely to be successful. If we want to be as good as we can be its incumbent upon us to at least put ourselves in a position to consider it. At the moment we are obviously not in a position to consider it because of the investment involved.
With a fully developed Punt Road Oval which will be the same dimensions to the centimetre as Etihad Stadium when completed, it does provide us with an opportunity to return reserve grade football to Punt Road Oval
[Comment From Guest: ]
hi benny, can please advise what plans the board have to do with the money raised from FTF, apart from paying off debt. Thanks
Paying off debt or a portion of the debt is the absoloute priority. After that we will be much better placed to make mission critical investments in footy. These investments would include the need to complete the redevelopment of the Punt Road Oval arena surface which will together with the ME Bank Centre provide an a total elite football facility. The prepayment of TPP over the next few years is an important opportunity, we need to invest in recruiting we need to invest in the development of our players, once we bring them to the club this might include; our own reserves down the track and information systems increasingly important in delivering high performance.
[Comment From Bernie: ]
I asked the membership dept to send me a flyer so I could tackle some of my Tiger mates in Canberra to join but they sent me nothing. I had about ten new members for the Club.
Occasionally the odd request gets overlooked, send through your details including email address and we will address it immediately. Otherwise go to richmondfc.com.au and all the details related to membership products can be found there
