- May 1, 2018
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Peggy O'Neal to stay on as Tigers president
MICHAEL GLEESON FEBRUARY 05, 2019
Peggy O’Neal will remain as president of the Tigers for another three years beyond this season despite a new rule limiting presidents to two-term maximums.
O’Neal has been asked by the board to remain as president for a third term regardless of the recent amendment.
As O’Neal had been president for a term prior to the rule change the board took the view that the change only applied from the date of the change onwards. Hence O’Neal had only served one term under the new rules and so was clear to remain in the chair. She has agreed to do so.
“I had not thought about it [staying on for another term] much because I knew I had another year to go so it had not really crossed my mind but at the end of last year Rob Dalton was leaving as vice-president and he asked, 'Do you have another term?’ ” O’Neal said.
“I said I am not sure [where it sits with the change to the rules]. Rob said leave it to me and he handled it. There were board discussions without me – I didn’t think it was appropriate that I be involved in those discussions.
“When you win it’s really fun but at the same time if there was someone else they felt should take over that was fine, too.
“The board satisfied themselves about my eligibility and said I can do another term because the amendment was for a maximum of two terms from the date of the amendment and they wanted me to do another term. At Richmond the board elects the president.
“I thought if they place the confidence in me then I will keep going, so I was happy to say yes when they asked me to do another term.”
O’Neal became the AFL’s first female club president when she was appointed by the board to lead the club in October, 2013.
She famously saw off one of the worst board challenges mounted at a football club when the 'Focus on Football' group sought to overthrow the board and the coach, then abandoned their high-profile challenge almost before it started.
Less than 12 months later the club went on to win the 2017 premiership with O’Neal at the helm as president. The idea of stability, both in retaining Damien Hardwick and not turning over the board, was viewed as significant in the club’s success.
Her goal now as president is to leave the club consistently in contention on the field. She reasons that no one can guarantee flags but strong clubs establish a framework that enables the team to consistently put themselves in contention.
Off the field the plan is for sustained financial security and a legacy project to complete the further redevelopment of the Punt Road headquarters.
MICHAEL GLEESON FEBRUARY 05, 2019
Peggy O’Neal will remain as president of the Tigers for another three years beyond this season despite a new rule limiting presidents to two-term maximums.
O’Neal has been asked by the board to remain as president for a third term regardless of the recent amendment.
As O’Neal had been president for a term prior to the rule change the board took the view that the change only applied from the date of the change onwards. Hence O’Neal had only served one term under the new rules and so was clear to remain in the chair. She has agreed to do so.
“I had not thought about it [staying on for another term] much because I knew I had another year to go so it had not really crossed my mind but at the end of last year Rob Dalton was leaving as vice-president and he asked, 'Do you have another term?’ ” O’Neal said.
“I said I am not sure [where it sits with the change to the rules]. Rob said leave it to me and he handled it. There were board discussions without me – I didn’t think it was appropriate that I be involved in those discussions.
“When you win it’s really fun but at the same time if there was someone else they felt should take over that was fine, too.
“The board satisfied themselves about my eligibility and said I can do another term because the amendment was for a maximum of two terms from the date of the amendment and they wanted me to do another term. At Richmond the board elects the president.
“I thought if they place the confidence in me then I will keep going, so I was happy to say yes when they asked me to do another term.”
O’Neal became the AFL’s first female club president when she was appointed by the board to lead the club in October, 2013.
She famously saw off one of the worst board challenges mounted at a football club when the 'Focus on Football' group sought to overthrow the board and the coach, then abandoned their high-profile challenge almost before it started.
Less than 12 months later the club went on to win the 2017 premiership with O’Neal at the helm as president. The idea of stability, both in retaining Damien Hardwick and not turning over the board, was viewed as significant in the club’s success.
Her goal now as president is to leave the club consistently in contention on the field. She reasons that no one can guarantee flags but strong clubs establish a framework that enables the team to consistently put themselves in contention.
Off the field the plan is for sustained financial security and a legacy project to complete the further redevelopment of the Punt Road headquarters.
