Guest Speaker Matthew Richardson

In May 2004 Matthew was appointed the Chief Executive of the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club (SANFL) and oversaw the SANFL Club through a period of significant challenge and change, dealing with many financial and strategic issues which would shape the future of the Club.

In 2009 Matthew joined the Port Adelaide Football Club (AFL) in a special projects role focused initially on commercial growth. This quickly saw the move to Adelaide Oval and then leading the Club’s strategy to unite Port Adelaide as One Club, bringing the Magpies in the SANFL and Power in the AFL together. This led to the official reunification of the Port Adelaide Football Club in November 2011, which was a catalyst to the club’s successful move to Adelaide Oval in 2014 and membership growth from less than 30,000 in 2010 to over 60,000 in 2015.

Matthew was appointed Executive General Manager of the Port Adelaide Football Club in 2018, and in October 2020 was appointed the Chief Executive, replacing Keith Thomas with whom he had worked closely for nine years.

Matthew Richardson spoke about the renewal of the Port Adelaide Football Club and the journey from SANFL to the success they now have as an AFL team.

He stated the club were always a power house in their brand values, sporting success and Community. From 1997 to 2011 the PAFC Brand was inconsistent in the way it looked, and more importantly the way it acted, so in 2013 with a new coach on board they changed the narrative to reconnect with members and stakeholders.

Matthew said the Chief Executive sees himself as the bus driver who must have a clear direction the club is going and the best way to get there. This was done through the Strategic Vision.