The Richmond Football Club is one of the oldest and largest football clubs in the AFL, with over 100,000 members.  

The Swinburne and the Richmond Football Club partnership stemmed from the establishment of the Richmond Institute in 2013, which has since delivered sports-related diploma programs to over a thousand students across Victoria. 

The partnership was further consolidated in May 2017, when Swinburne and Richmond Football Club signed a formal four-year sponsorship agreement to work together on projects for wider social and economic impact. Since then a number of initiatives have launched, including the inaugural RAP conference and several key research projects. A broad range of working groups has also been established to work together to nurture future opportunities in education and training, research, diversity and community initiatives, and to further develop joint specialist facilities.

Highlights

Joint delivery of diploma and certificate programs

Across Sport Development, Leadership and Management, Allied Health, and Community Services

Naming rights sponsor of Richmond’s home ground

As well as sponsoring Richmond’s inaugural AFLW team

Hosted the inaugural RAP conference

In partnership with Reconciliation Australia

Key projects and outcomes

The partnership involves the joint delivery of Diploma programs in Sport Development, Leadership and Management, Allied Health, and Community Services at the Richmond Institute. These programs were expanded in 2019 to included delivery in regional Victoria (Albury Wodonga).

In 2020, Swinburne proudly sponsored Richmond's inaugural AFLW team as their shorts apparel sponsor.

Richmond Football Club has provided real-world job experience to many Swinburne students, studying from a range of disciplines. These placements have ranged from short-term projects (internships) to paid 12-month placements (Professional Placements). Roles have included digital media, data science, human resources and exercise sport science. In 2018, Richmond employed one of the talented Swinburne intern students for an ongoing role at the club.

Richmond Football Club and Swinburne both have Elevate RAPS and are committed to Reconciliation.

In 2018, Swinburne partnered with Richmond Football Club and Reconciliation Australia to host the inaugural National Reconciliation Action Plan Conference. Over 370 delegates attended the first of its kind, sold out event.

Swinburne researchers have worked with Richmond Football Club on several joint research projects. This has included fan engagement and membership research, and evaluations of the Bachar Houli Foundation program and REAL program delivered by Richmond’s Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI). 

The partnership has also recently included research into mental health during COVID-19.

Swinburne has offered ongoing educational opportunities to Richmond Football Club. Over the four years of the partnership more than 30 Richmond staff members have commenced programs at Swinburne. These programs have involved everything from short courses to master degrees.

  • “Richmond has allowed me to exercise creative freedom within my internship. I didn’t expect to work on projects that allowed me to compose elements using my own discretion.”

    Osama Sarakibi , Bachelor of Design student

In the news

Learn more about Swinburne partnerships

Have any questions?

If you’d like to know more about this partnership or are looking to collaborate with Swinburne as an industry partner, please fill out our enquiry form.

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