Richmond have just hit 70,000 members and are set to post another huge profit GRANT BAKER
Herald Sun
June 24, 2015 THE Tiger Army has grown to record size with Richmond this week signing its 70,000th member.
Richmond becomes just the third club in the AFL to break the 70,000 mark, following Collingwood and Hawthorn.
The swell in membership numbers — up from 66,000 last year and just 42,000 at the beginning of the decade — will ensure the club again makes a profit this year.
The Tigers, who are debt free, made a $1.3m surplus in 2014.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said the club aimed to give members “a really strong sense of involvement and emotional connection with the club” while providing “superior service quality”.
“We get those things right and the number takes care of itself,” Gale told the Herald Sun.
“We are really proud and encouraged. It’s a terrific achievement.”
Gale raised eyebrows in 2010 when setting a five-year target of three finals appearances; zero debt and 75,000 members.
He said while the club had not yet achieved all its goals, he was encouraged by the progress that has been made.
Richmond has hit 70,000 members and baby girl Alyssa Charakos is No. 70,0000. Here she is with dad George Charakos and grandfather, Theo. Picture: Tim Carrafa
“We’re an ambitious club and I think it is important to set ambitious goals,” he said.
“The 3-0-75, those metrics were all about simply building the capability of our club.
“We certainly have given those a shake — not delivered all, but I think we’ve made some really encouraging progress.
“The 75 spoke to our consumer and commercial strength, the zero debt spoke to our balance sheet and the three finals series spoke to our football program and we probably always felt that would be the most challenging given the competitive landscape.”
Richmond is in the eight and should it see September action this year, will play its third consecutive finals series.
Gale said the club — which eliminated its more than $4m debt in 2013 — now had options to expand its business in ways it could not in the past.
“There’s been significant improved business performance, which is a large part due to the loyalty and commitment of our members and supporters,” Gale said.
“We will be profitable and operating at surplus. It allows us to continue to meet the needs of our footy department, to make sure they have all the resources they need to be competitive.
“Having a much stronger balance sheet (also) allows you to look at other opportunities to grow your business that aren’t necessarily related to football.
“Before, we haven’t had the ability but now if the opportunity presents itself we can take on some commercial risk.”
Member No. 70,000 is Alyssa Charakos — who is less than two weeks old. Dad George Charakos is a 15-year Richmond member.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-have-just-hit-70000-members-and-are-set-to-post-another-huge-profit/story-fni5f9jb-1227411600843
