Here's the Q&A from the live chat: Comment From Grant, Brunswick East
Hi Peggy, so very proud to have you as our president, love your enthusiasm for the game and the club. I have been concerned, however, at your low profile, or non-existent profile in the past three or four 'difficult' weeks. Why has this been the case?
12:04
Hi Grant, thanks for your question. I have spoken at several events that haven't been picked up in the media, but as a matter of club policy the coach and the CEO speak on matters in relation to football performance, and they've been readily available.
12:04
Comment From Dave
Hi Peggy, when will the Jack Dyer grandstand be ready? Can’t wait to sit in it to watch VFL team!!
12:05
Hi Dave. We are very hopeful of having it ready for our May 31 match at the ME Bank Centre against Essendon. It has been a significant undertaking to get it refurbished and I like you look forward to it being completed.
12:05
Comment From Guest
Easy one first, our membership. Target was 75k which we aren't going to achieve, how's this going to impact on bottomline
12:06
While 75k was an ambitious target, we haven't given up on hitting that goal. I encourage all fans to get on board and those who haven't renewed to do so as soon as they can.
12:07
Comment From Jessica, St kilda
I hate this variable pricing stuff. Get rid of it Peggy!
12:10
The AFL has said it will look back after it has a full year of data before making a decision as to whether it has been of benefit to the game. It's important that football remain affordable. It needs to be remembered that while some games cost more for Richmond supporters, some will cost less.
12:10
Comment From David
Hi Peggy, can you let the members know why the Board decided to extend the Coaches contract for 2 years at the end of last year. It seemed premature given he still had a full year to go on his existing contract.
12:13
The board was, and is, absolutely of the view that Damien is the right man to lead our football program.
12:14
Comment From David
Hi Peggy can you reassure members that the Board will strictly control any further trading of draft picks for recycled players? It appears our approach has taken us backwards while the likes of the Collingwood continue to unearth talent with later picks even during the compromised drafts of 2011-2013
12:16
Our general philosophy is that the List Management team drafts the best available talent and trades where required to address specific needs. The board supports that philosophy.
12:20
Comment From Gillon
Are you glad Brendon didn’t get the AFL job?
12:21
Brendon has done an excellent job as CEO of Richmond and it was no surprise that the AFL wanted to speak with him. Brendon kept myself and the board informed at all times and we would never stand in the way of someone exploring career opportunities. He has an unwavering focus and commitment on building a strong, sustainable and successful Richmond Football Club.
12:22
Comment From Lisa
Hi Peggy, very proud that Richmond will always have the honour of having the first female AFL Club President. What are your thoughts on the AFL's abolishment of themed rounds like the Women's Round and it's push to have more females working in "traditional" male roles within footy? Do you think we will see women working in footy departments?
12:24
Thank you for your kind words Lisa. We are committed to having women work in all roles within the Richmond Football Club and we already have women who work in the Football department in a number of capacities. We want to see women's involvement at all levels become the norm in the football industry.
12:28
Comment From Grant, Brunswick East
Hi again, thanks for your answer to my previous question. I was also interested in what you've been working on at the club recently that has been particularly exciting and of interest to you?
12:31
A lot of what the board does is behind the scenes, but one thing which I know is of interest to our fans is the completion of the Jack Dyer Stand and the return of football to Punt Road Oval. I personally am excited about our new partnership with Cardinia Shire and the work we will be able to do in that region. Also, we are embarking on a three year longitudinal study with the Australian Sports Commission and the AFL as our partners concerning the participation of women in elite sporting organisations.
12:37
Comment From Guest
What is the long term for the FTF? When it was launched all the talk was it would run 2 years. It now seems to be a long term revenue stream that personally I don't view as sustainable. Is the club concerned that eventually the "well" will run dry? WP From Port Melb
12:37
The FTF has been a highly successful program of which we are proud. I thank fans who have made such an important contribution to the financial success of our club. We recently surveyed fans and there was clear support to retain the FTF as a regular part of our fundraising efforts to help underpin our football program. We have always said if you can do one thing, and one thing only, become a member of this club. If you are in position to support our fundraising efforts beyond that, then it is greatly appreciated.
12:38
Comment From Guest
Hi Peggy, what's the hardest thing about being President of the Tigers, and what's the thing you most enjoy about the job?
12:41
Hi, the thing I enjoy most about being President is the honor of representing the Club and the opportunity to meet so many Richmond supporters. I've been overwhelmed by the great support I have received. The hardest thing is not to continually think about the Richmond Football Club and turning my mind to my day job!
12:47
Comment From HRTiger
If the club doesnt make the eight this season it would mean that the 3-0-75 has fallen way short of expectations, how would the board see this result and does the board accept us always falling short of expectations?
12:52
The board and management were aware that when 3-0-75 was set in 2010, they were ambitious goals. We should never apologise for that - it was time for this club to demand more of itself. The progress has been very positive as we have retired $5m in debt, grown membership by more than 20,000 and played finals last year. The job is not yet done and we will continue to challenge ourselves throughout the Club.
12:54
Comment From David
Hi Peggy, as one of the original co-tenants of the MCG it disappoints me that with our large supporter base and contribution to the MCG nover a signficant length of time now we do not enjoy an equivalent deal to some of the newer MCG clubs. Are we working towards a better deal with the MCG?
12:55
We have a long-term tenancy arrangement with the MCC but when that arrangement allows, we always look for opportunities to improve the return to the club and most importantly our fans.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news-and-media/peggy-oneal-chat
