Join the Richmond Tigers for Australia Day

Sunshine Coast-based Richmond AFL members and supporters will get their first chance to see the Tigers in their own backyard next week.

Richmond is heading to the Coast for a pre-season training camp for the first time and will meet their fans at an open training session at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex on Australia Day.

Tigers supporters will have the chance to watch their heroes up close from 8.45am with the players available for a signing session at the end of training.

“Richmond has held pre-season camps in North Queensland, but never on the Sunshine Coast,” Richmond Football General Manager Neil Balme said.

“We’re looking forward to bringing the entire team and coaches up for a week of hard work in the Sunshine Coast heat.”

Richmond is one of three AFL clubs coming to the Sunshine Coast between now and February 8.

Reigning premiers Western Bulldogs will hold their open training at Maroochydore Multi Sports Compex on Sunday, January 29 from 9am and the Melbourne Demons will be at the Fishermans Road venue for an open session on Saturday, February 4 from 9am.

Hawthorn enjoyed a nine-day camp on the Coast prior to Christmas.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said council had worked hard to build strong relationships with a number of AFL clubs in recent years.

“Having three teams here on the Coast across the next three weeks will be great for AFL fans and the economic and social benefits these pre-season camps bring to our community are enormous,” Cr O’Pray said.

“Each club travels up here with around 75 players, coaches, trainers and officials and we also see quite a few fans of these clubs from outside our region coming here for holidays to coincide with their team being here.”

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