Dear Members and Supporters,
We are just a matter of days out from our season opener against Carlton and it is clearly going to be a different season than in previous years.
The AFL has made the decision to play games without crowds for the foreseeable future for both the men's and women's competition. This decision has been made in conjunction with government and senior public health officials and it is undoubtedly the right call.
We are in the midst of a serious public health issue and it is incumbent on all of us, including the Club, to play our role in mitigating the risks to public health.
As a Club we have already taken some significant steps to protect our staff, players and fans as best we can. An internal working group led by CEO Brendon Gale is working through all the issues and contingencies on a daily basis. As decisions are made, we will be communicating those to you regularly so that you continue to know what is happening at the Club.
The Club is now closed to external visitors, and staff have been asked to work at home unless it is absolutely necessary that they be at the Club. All training sessions are closed, and all on-site events are cancelled. Beyond this, we have effectively ring-fenced our football programs AFL, AFLW and VFL to minimise contact between players and staff across the different teams.
We sincerely hope that business as usual will resume in the not too distant future, but we will be guided by the experts.
Naturally, the measures taken, and the uncertain future are going to have a significant impact on Club finances but that is very much secondary to the health issue we confront. It is the Tiger Army that has given this Club the strength to compete and succeed and, collectively, we will get through this challenging time.
Of course, we were going to unfurl the 2019 Premiership flag at the season opener. However, that celebration will not proceed until we can share that moment with our fans. So, when it is safe to do so, we will set a date and see the MCG filled with yellow and black.
While this Thursday night will have a very different feel, our players will know that they have the full force of the Tiger Army behind them from lounge rooms across the country. On behalf of all our members and supporters, I wish them well for the season ahead, as we work through unprecedented issues.
As always, the players and coaches have worked exceptionally hard during the off-season and they are primed for season 2020. Pleasingly, we enter the season injury free, which is a credit to our high performance staff.
I would also like to wish the AFLW team the best for the remainder of their season. They will play their next game on Friday, 20 March, against Brisbane, and it too will be televised. While the team hasn't had the success they would have liked, we are incredibly proud of the players and staff and the commitment they have shown to this historic season.
The Club asks all fans to heed the warnings of health officials. This issue requires a united effort across the country and I know all citizens of Tigerland will play their part.
While we wont be together at the season opener, I look forward to seeing you all at the football as soon as it is safe to do so.
Go Tigers
Peggy O'Neal
15 March 2020
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/576486/from-the-president-march-2020
