News an unpaid political announcment : Richmond Board Election

[CeltDave]

phil, at this point mate your revelations are as groundbreaking as Bob Hawkes famous quip, NO child shall live in poverty!..we need to understand a little more about how you intend on addressing the problem rather than simply point it out

Agree ^^^^^^

Phil,

I would probably vote the libs in the state election, however all I have heard is what is wrong with Victoria - not what policies / strategies they will implement to fix the issues they have raised.

We all want the Tigers to be successful on and off the field, however this can't be achieved simply by being passionate about the club and highlighting problems.

Let us know what you will do / what solutions you will implement so that we can make an informed decision based on the facts.

Cheers,

 

[PhilipAnderson]

Gaming Machines

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Philip Anderson| Leave a comment


Some people say that we must have more of them because they add significant revenue to our Football Club. Others say that Gaming Machines are a scourge on society and we should remove these now.

For mine this is a very difficult and sensitive area to touch on.

I absolutely see both points of view, so what does this mean that we should do.

Richmond receives revenue from Gaming Machine licences that it holds and this revenue is very important to our club at this time. Revenue that we could not replace easily if we ceased owning the licences.

Along with Gaming Machine licences comes legal responsibilities, but it is with our social responsibilities that we, as a leading club in the AFL, must excel.

 

[Snorter]

Sitting on the fence it seems, Phil.

 

[Final Siren]

Agree with posters above that there's a lot of wishy-washy statements from Phil. Does anyone think the current board don't have a "Richmond first mentality?" Does anyone think our recruitment in 2005 was good? You're just restating what everyone already agrees with.

I will take issue with this, though:

Let me be very clear about my position – 15th is not OK and I don’t believe that it should be OK to the loyal Richmond supporters.
...
The Richmond board must go into the “room full of mirrors” and understand that our lack of success is not ok.
We now require strength and realism to to be a key part of the Richmond board.

No-one believes 15th is a satisfactory end result. But as a first step on a journey, there was a lot to like about this year. If 15th is "not OK," what would have been OK? Finals? Not much "realism" about that.

 

[Neil McKay]

As a nominee for the Board Election I believe the issues that the voting members should be focused on are the key areas where the club requires further development. I will restate those are:

Sponsorship & Revenue streams
Debt
Interstate fixtures


All three are related. Improve Revenue and this will make it easier to manage or eliminate debt. Do that and you don’t need to continually go to your corporate and loyal membership base to help pay out debt.
Have strong revenue streams and you don’t need to sell games to interstate venues.

Richmond is trying to keep up with the other leading clubs in football department spend. We should aspire to this but you have to have the money to be able to do it.

The board is not there to pick the team or to run the recruiting department. You employ good people for that. I think that there is enough evidence there to have us think that we are on the right path. The board selects the coach. I feel we have the right man for the job. He needs time and support.

The board needs the right mix of people who can make balanced decisions and provide the right guidance. So that comes down what is the right mix of lawyers, accountants, marketing/sales people on the board. Ask yourself for example how many lawyers a football club board needs. I contend that we have some of the issues mentioned earlier because we don’t have that mix right. Members of the board have to be engaged with major sponsors and partners so that long term relationships can be developed. We have to move away from a short term focus to this critical area of our club. We have to build a solid Find/Win/Keep strategy to our efforts on Sponsorship and Revenue.

We are all passionate Tigers or we wouldn’t be here. Let’s have the quality people that we have recruited to our football department lead our success on the field. What you as members can do is make sure that we have a Board that has the right people to address the club as a business going forward so it will be there to have a successful team playing on the “G” as many times as possible.

Neil McKay

 

[Snorter]

Neil, what's your position on the issue of the pokies?

 

[getthefooty]

Richmond finished 15th this year with 6 wins and 16 losses.
Let me be very clear about my position – 15th is not OK and I don’t believe that it should be OK to the loyal Richmond supporters.

It's perfectly OK by me. The fact you think we have taken backward steps in the past year demonstrates to me you are not the right man for the job, and are out of touch with what is actually happening at Punt Rd.

 

[Final Siren]

I found this page on the club site about the current board:

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/the board/tabid/7731/default.aspx

The three up for re-election:

• GARY MARCH (President)
  Gary March was appointed President in November 2005. Mr March was appointed to the board on 1 October 2002, and holds an ex officio position on all board sub-committees. Mr March is a Director of Hopgreen Pty Ltd, Hopgreen UK Ltd, MAK Retail Ltd and GMPC Pty Ltd.
• JOHN MATTHIES
  John Matthies was appointed to the board on 29 January 2004. Mr Matthies is a member of the Audit and Risk and Centenary Sub-Committees. Mr Matthies holds the position of Senior Partner of law firm John Matthies & Co Solicitors.
• PEGGY HAINES
  Peggy Haines joined the board on 12 November 2005 and is a member of the Centenary and Fundraising Sub-Committees. Ms Haines is a partner at Freehills.

 

[Neil McKay]

Hey snorter great question. Personally, I don't like them, don't play them and think that they have some very negative impacts on our society. But that being said they are legal.

Any club or business needs to set some firm policy in place around issues like Poker Machines. It would be on the basis of weighing up the advantages against the disadvantages. Essentially what is the risk to your reputaton or brand against the income generated. Of couse there is the big issue of the impact on society. To me being good Corporate citizens is important. Once a board agrees on a policy then it has to adhere to it. Hope that this answers your question.

Cheers,

 

[happy_punter]

i dont think pokies are any different to other forms of gambling, gambling is gambling. so why let luxbet sponsor richmond, all in the same boat imo.

 

[richoatthedisco]

In three posts, Neil has put himself way out in front of Phil in the race for my vote. I do have a few questions though Neil:

• You state we need new means of reducing the debt. Do you have any achievable ideas for doing so? Especially as it seems you're against bringing in $500,000 for selling interstate a game we'd otherwise be lucky to break even on?
• You say your experience will help attract new sponsors. Could you explain how?
• GE Finance was very quick to cut and run from the retail motor industry when times got tough. It looks as though good times are ahead for RFC, but will you dig in and fight for the club if they don't come, or if things turn south at any point? How do we know you're not looking to jump on the bandwagon just as it gets rolling?
• You argue we don't need another lawyer on the board, and it's always handy to have people with financial acumen, but can you enlighten us a little to the particulars of what you will bring that is new, different and beneficial for the club?

Cheers mate.

Good initiative by both candidates to engage with supporters in this way. It might be prudent of Peggy Haines and John Matthies to join up too and let us know exactly what it is they've been doing for the club and why we should vote for them to continue.

 

[PhilipAnderson]

VFL Stand-Alone Teams

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Philip Anderson| Leave a comment


In the 2011 season there will be 3 AFL teams that will not have VFL affiliations.
These teams are:


Collingwood
Geelong
Gold Coast


Why is this worth noting? Well taking the Gold Coast away from this exercise as they are first year entrants in 2011, Collingwood won the 2010 premiership and Geelong won the 2009 and 2007 premierships. This statistic alone is one that we at Richmond should take serious note. Three of the past four premierships have been won by teams that have a stand alone VFL team.


What this shows is that there are significant benefits to having a stand alone team in the VFL. Whether this is improved player development or just having full and complete control of your reserves team that has allowed Collingwood and Geelong a greater advantage in the AFL competition, whatever the case may be, we must take stock.


Now that the Gold Coast are entering the AFL competition in 2011, they have kept their stand-alone VFL team. Will this mean that they too will show improvement at a greater pace than other teams? This is to be seen going forward. Suffice to say we should nullify the competitive advantage that these 3 teams will have as soon as possible.


This is very easy to say that yes Richmond must be have a stand alone team in the VFL competition, but the real fact of the matter is that this exercise comes with a significant cost. My understanding is that this is in the form of approximately $400,000 per year to run this team.


I wish to state that I believe that Richmond should be a team working towards this goal. The major proviso here is that we must be able to pay for this without incurring further debt. I might add that we must clear our debt prior to venturing down this path.


I am an advocate for a stand alone Richmond VFL team as soon as fiscally possible.

 

[JR#8]

In three posts, Neil has put himself way out in front of Phil in the race for my vote.

Couldn't agree any more.

 

[_RT_]

Just voted and I've decided to stick with the current board members, not because I don't think Neil and Phil can't offer anything, just that we're less than a year into the 3-0-75 plan and I'd like to give the current board some time to really get the plan up and running.

 

[Neil McKay]

richoatthedisco let me answer your questions.

1. We can reduce debt through improved revenue streams. Lets stop churning sponsors and establish long term partnerships. I ask how well do we look after our sponsors when we have them. The other option is a closer link to the business community. Our club is in a prime position on Punt road passed by tens of thousands of people each day. How do we maximise the potential revenue from naming rights etc. at this venue. Are we making the most of our opportunities here. A sustainable debt reduction program through improved cash flows has to be a better option than going to the members for more contributions.

2. I am restricted form making any comments about my employer. Sorry they are the rules that I have to work with. What I will say is I am not jumping on the bandwagon. If you read my summary I have been invovled in raising funds through the Jack Dyer Foundation and a financial supporter of the club through its darkest years (since 1994). If i was the type of person who moved on when it gets tough i would have long gone. In recent times I have committed a substantial amount of time to the Coburg Football Club because I want to help.

3. I believe I can help through my Commercial experience. I am in contact daily with major corporations, that are in industries that sponsior major sporting events. I have exposure and listen to Corporates quite regularly on what works for them in a sponsorship deal and what turns them off. I have an extensive background in Sales particualry on strategy.

Cheers,

 

[Final Siren]

Good answers. And I appreciate you taking the time to give them.

Phil unfortunately just seems to be spamming his blogs to every board in town...

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

I can't actually get my membership (2010) number to work, which is a tad frustrating.

My vote would go to the current board members.

I appreciate how Philip and Neil have engaged with us on the RFC forum, but I personally feel that we have finally set clear objectives and just like RT73, I want to see them come to life.

I really think we should all unite on this and give the current board a chance to reach their 3-0-75 objective.

Philip & Neil are both worthy candidates, but I believe they'll be better suited challenging for a spot whilst we really need someone, because right now things are looking good. I don't believe in change for the sake of change.

 

[TerryTait]

richoatthedisco let me answer your questions.

1. We can reduce debt through improved revenue streams. Lets stop churning sponsors and establish long term partnerships. I ask how well do we look after our sponsors when we have them. The other option is a closer link to the business community. Our club is in a prime position on Punt road passed by tens of thousands of people each day. How do we maximise the potential revenue from naming rights etc. at this venue. Are we making the most of our opportunities here. A sustainable debt reduction program through improved cash flows has to be a better option than going to the members for more contributions.

2. I am restricted form making any comments about my employer. Sorry they are the rules that I have to work with. What I will say is I am not jumping on the bandwagon. If you read my summary I have been invovled in raising funds through the Jack Dyer Foundation and a financial supporter of the club through its darkest years (since 1994). If i was the type of person who moved on when it gets tough i would have long gone. In recent times I have committed a substantial amount of time to the Coburg Football Club because I want to help.

3. I believe I can help through my Commercial experience. I am in contact daily with major corporations, that are in industries that sponsior major sporting events. I have exposure and listen to Corporates quite regularly on what works for them in a sponsorship deal and what turns them off. I have an extensive background in Sales particualry on strategy.

Cheers,

Hands and heels clear of Phil. There's an art to giving the bones of a plan without giving too many secrets away and you have it in spades. Your business acumen along with your corporate network would be a great asset for the RFC. You have my vote.

 

[_RT_]

I can't actually get my membership (2010) number to work, which is a tad frustrating.

My vote would go to the current board members.

I appreciate how Philip and Neil have engaged with us on the RFC forum, but I personally feel that we have finally set clear objectives and just like RT73, I want to see them come to life.

I really think we should all unite on this and give the current board a chance to reach their 3-0-75 objective.

Philip & Neil are both worthy candidates, but I believe they'll be better suited challenging for a spot whilst we really need someone, because right now things are looking good. I don't believe in change for the sake of change.

Are you using all 7 numbers to log on, a couple of times I didn't then realised that the number on my card was slightly different to the number I needed. In the end the number that is on my renewal worked.

 

[TOOs_Finest]

richoatthedisco let me answer your questions.

1. We can reduce debt through improved revenue streams. Lets stop churning sponsors and establish long term partnerships. I ask how well do we look after our sponsors when we have them. The other option is a closer link to the business community. Our club is in a prime position on Punt road passed by tens of thousands of people each day. How do we maximise the potential revenue from naming rights etc. at this venue. Are we making the most of our opportunities here. A sustainable debt reduction program through improved cash flows has to be a better option than going to the members for more contributions.

2. I am restricted form making any comments about my employer. Sorry they are the rules that I have to work with. What I will say is I am not jumping on the bandwagon. If you read my summary I have been invovled in raising funds through the Jack Dyer Foundation and a financial supporter of the club through its darkest years (since 1994). If i was the type of person who moved on when it gets tough i would have long gone. In recent times I have committed a substantial amount of time to the Coburg Football Club because I want to help.

3. I believe I can help through my Commercial experience. I am in contact daily with major corporations, that are in industries that sponsior major sporting events. I have exposure and listen to Corporates quite regularly on what works for them in a sponsorship deal and what turns them off. I have an extensive background in Sales particualry on strategy.

Cheers,

Great questions RATD, and very well answered Neil. You've made a very good impression on here, all the best with the election

 

[richoatthedisco]

Yes, good work Neil, much appreciated. Didn't really expect you to comment on GE and understand that you can't. Nonetheless, well answered.

 

[Final Siren]

Philip & Neil are both worthy candidates, but I believe they'll be better suited challenging for a spot whilst we really need someone, because right now things are looking good. I don't believe in change for the sake of change.

I think most members will agree. I expect all three board members to hold their places.

Worth noting though that we have nine board members, so turning over one or two would not be a big change. (Unless March gets the heave-ho.)

Personally I'm leaning toward Neil McKay over John Matties. I don't know John from a bar of soap, but he was there when the club appointed Wallace & Miller, etc, and Peggy Haines wasn't. I think Gary March did a very good job when the club was under siege in 2008.

I can't actually get my membership (2010) number to work, which is a tad frustrating.

Mine changed this year! And I had to use the new number to get into the vote page.

I'm quite sad because mine was a three digit number and now there's a one and three zeroes on the front. E.g. I've gone from member # 555 to # 1000555. That's not nearly as good!

 

[Toadvine]

Just voted. I decided to stick with the current members. I'm happy and confident in the progress we're making off the field.

 

[PHX]

• GE Finance

Is GE Capital simply a rebranded GE Finance or are they separate subsidiary as for some reason I think of GE Finance being the reputed loan sharks, while GE Capital deal more with Business loans and operations.

 

[JR#8]

Can anybody point me in the right direction on how to vote from the richmondfc.com.au website?

I can't find it at all. I feel so dumb today.

First I forgot my keys in the morning so I couldn't open up the workshop when I got to work.

Then I transferred some money into the wrong account (Lucky both accounts were mine).

Now this...