Swinburne University extends Richmond AFLW partnership

January 17, 2022

Richmond FC has announced that Swinburne University has extended its partnership with the Club’s AFLW program until the end of 2024.

In partnership since 2017, with Swinburne stepping straight in to partner the Club’s AFLW program from its inaugural year in 2020, the link has seen University support elite sporting pathways for women, including student placements and internships.

Richmond’s reigning AFLW best and fairest winner Monique Conti and last year’s No. 1 draft pick Ellie McKenzie are studying at Swinburne and enhancing their future career prospects.

McKenzie is in her first year of a Bachelor of Business at the University and Conti a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences. Both athletes have expressed their appreciation of the flexibility afforded to all students and their studies.

Advising that Swinburne is a valued partner for the Club and that the University’s support of the Women’s program had been tremendous, Richmond Chief Executive, Brendon Gale stated “Swinburne has backed our AFLW team since the beginning. It is fantastic to see that Swinburne is entrenched within our program and is helping our players to succeed both on and off the field.

“Already, we have some significant initiatives in place with Swinburne through the partnership that are mutually beneficial for what we want to achieve as businesses with shared values.

“Our AFLW Tigers will play five games at the Swinburne Centre in 2022, one up from last year and inclusive of our marquee Pride and Indigenous Round matches which the whole Club is very excited to be hosting.”

Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pascale Quester said the strengthened relationship between Richmond and Swinburne deserved to be celebrated, adding “Swinburne is proud to renew our partnership with Richmond and their AFLW program, and we are eager to remain a strong part of the club’s rich and evolving history, particularly in a period of significant growth and innovation within women’s football.

“It has been a privilege to support Monique Conti and Ellie McKenzie in their studies. Swinburne is committed to guiding them, and future players, to successful careers beyond football with the same passion as Richmond’s supporters.”

The extension will see Swinburne's logo continue to feature prominently on the AFLW playing shorts for the next three seasons.

Richmond hosted Melbourne in a sell-out crowd at the Swinburne Centre on Friday night, the Tigers’ first home game for the season.

Image: Swinburne will continue to support Richmond AFLW players and the football program for another three seasons. Credit: Richmond Media.

12th January 2022 - ALFW opening round sees game welcome millionth supporter milestone since 2017

7th January 2022 - Sixth season of AFLW set for kick off

26th November 2021 - Richmond FC reveals designs for $65 million Punt Road Oval redevelopment

19th November 2021 - Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex named home ground for AFLW’s Brisbane Lions

12th November 2021 - New Royal Life Saving research shows social impact of the aquatic industry

26th August 2021 - Ongoing lockdowns sees start of AFLW season pushed back until January

23rd August 2021 - Essendon’s AFLW licence to revitalise the Windy Hill precinct

12th August 2021 - AFLW competition to expand to 18 teams for 2022/23

17th May 2021 - Construction commences on AFLW Brisbane Lions new stadium

1st May 2021 - New report suggests women’s sport delivers better sponsorship outcomes

19th April 2021 - AFLW’s 2021 season sees ongoing growth

7th April 2021 - AFLW grand final to be staged as standalone event with MCG a possible venue

17th March 2021 - Deloitte report predicts ongoing growth of women’s sport and its sponsorships

20th February 2021 - Kate Palmer appointed to board of Richmond Football Club

12th February 2021 - AFLW reaches membership record in fifth season

18th October 2019 - Richmond shows impressive off-field performance to cap AFL Grand Final win

30th September 2019 - Triumphant Premiers Richmond reveal expanding role beyond that of a traditional AFL club

6th September 2019 - Partnership extended between Swinburne and Richmond Football Club

16th July 2019 - Studies to showcase fan culture in a new millennium

29th March 2019 - Richmond FC secures Federal Government funds for Swinburne Centre redevelopment

25th October 2016 - Aligned Leisure and Richmond FC offer PHD Scholarship into improving health outcomes

15th September 2016 - Richmond FC and Swinburne University partner to launch leadership program

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.