The primary feminine president in AFL historical past, Peggy O’Neal, has mentioned an emotional goodbye to Richmondthe membership she has been on the helm of for simply over 9 years.
In a video put up by Richmond, O’Neal displays on the membership she took over in October, 2013, and says she “at all times felt like (she) belonged”.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Peggy O’Neal’s emotional farewell to Richmond.
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“My time at Richmond has taught me lots about persistence,” O’Neal mentioned.
“It is taught me lots about how nice folks might be… it is taught me lots about unity, and a standard endeavor and the way good folks can do nice issues.
“At Richmond, I’ve at all times felt like I’ve belonged as an American and as a girl, as a result of, I suppose additionally in soccer golf equipment, when you have time to volunteer, there’s at all times a job so that you can do.
“So each time in different circumstances, I may need felt I did not belong, I simply mirrored again that I belonged at Richmond.”
The 69-year-old American-born lawyer grew to become the AFL’s first feminine president in 2013 and has been on the Tigers’ board for 17 years.
Her reign noticed a 37-year premiership drought finish in 2017 adopted by back-to-back flags in 2019 and 2020.
In her last letter from the president, O’Neal mentioned: “I discover myself reflecting on how a lot we’ve got achieved previously decade. I accomplish that with an unlimited sense of satisfaction.
“And I say ‘we’ as a result of it’s the collective that has delivered a lot. And it’s the collective that may accomplish that into the longer term. Sustained success is constructed on these foundations,” she wrote.
“This sport we play, this membership we love, is in a state of perpetual movement. All of us – board members, gamers and employees, members and supporters – are a part of it for a second in time and all of us goal to depart it in higher form than we discovered it for future generations.
“The position of the highly effective Tiger Military has been profound and can proceed to be our supply of power.”
Tuesday marks John O’Rourke’s first day as president, taking up the reins on the AGM on Monday night time, having been on the board since 2015.
O’Neal now units her sights on her new position of chairing the organizing committee of the 2026 Commonwealth Video games to be held in regional Victoria.
“I’ve been honored to function your president for the previous 9 years,” O’Neal mentioned.
“I’ve had an exquisite time and I hope that you’ve got too. Because of all of you who’ve taken the time to inform me your tales about what the membership means to you; I loved all of them.
“Lastly, it is farewell, not goodbye. I look ahead to seeing you all on the soccer… Go Tiges!”
