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Richmond staff lay-off: AFL club makes cuts to staff amid coronavirus

Richmond has felt the full force of the COVID squeeze, laying off dozens of staff. Mostly admin staff were made redundant, but the effects were felt in its media department too.

Richmond AFL Football training at Punt Road Oval. 28/05/2020. Richmond President Peggy O'Neal and CEO Brendan Gale watch todays session. Pic: Michael Klein
Richmond AFL Football training at Punt Road Oval. 28/05/2020. Richmond President Peggy O'Neal and CEO Brendan Gale watch todays session. Pic: Michael Klein

Richmond Football Club has been forced to make a number of staff redundant as COVID-19 pressures squeeze the club’s budget.

Multiple sources have told the Leader about 30 staff were given the devastating news on Thursday.

Richmond chief executive Brendan Gale said the club had been confronted by unprecedented financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thanks to the magnificent support of our members and sponsors, we have been able to stabilise our financial position in the short-term, but these challenges will extend into next year and potentially beyond,” he said in a statement on the club’s website.

“As a result of the current situation, we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to make a number of administration staff redundant.

“These are all wonderful people and the situation they find themselves in, is no fault of their own.”

It’s understood the cuts were made to a range of staff in administration, including some media personnel.

“These staff have helped build our club to a position of strength, and we thank each and every one of them,” Gale said.

“They have been a part of our premiership successes and we hope they look back on the role they played in delivering our fans such joy, with great pride.

“Unfortunately these measures are simply unavoidable as we look to stabilise the club in the short-to-mid term.

“We have a responsibility to deliver our members a strong and sustainable football Club and in times like this, that unfortunately means making some very difficult decisions.”

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james.mottershead@news.com.au

@mottersjames

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-east/richmond-staff-layoff-afl-club-makes-cuts-to-staff-amid-coronavirus/news-story/05f5eaba31b2d19f69d3fe70934448a2