Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale has confirmed he is leaving his role at Punt Road and has accepted the inaugural role of chief executive of the Tasmania Devils.

Gale has served as Richmond’s chief executive for 15 years, including the club’s dynasty period between 2017 and 2020, after originally taking up the role in 2009.

Gale, a product of Burnie in Tasmania’s far north, will now embark on a new adventure with the Devils, with his job at the Apple Isle beginning in 2025.

In addition to his managerial influence, Gale also played 244 games over 12 years at Tigerland from 1990-2001.

Gale, 55, said in a statement from the Richmond club on Friday that it was time to hand over the reins.

“I have spent half my life at this Club as an administrator and player. “It is time for me to embark on a new challenge and for the Club to write the next chapter,” he stated.

“I will remain absolutely focused on the job at hand over the coming months. It is an exciting and challenging period for us on and off the field.

“The breadth and depth of our leadership is a real feature of our club, and we are all getting on with the job at hand and that is where my energies will be focused.”

Richmond chairman John O’Rourke praised Gale’s invaluable contribution to the yellow and black team.

“Brendon has been an outstanding leader of our football club and will continue to play that role in the coming months,” O’Rourke said on Friday.

“He has kept the board informed as he worked on this decision, wanting to ensure a smooth transition.

“There will be a time and place for us all to come together and pay tribute to the remarkable contribution Brendon has made to this Club.

“We have appointed recruitment company Transearch International Australia to help us find the Club’s next CEO. “It will be a thorough and well-considered process and Brendon’s candor around this decision has ensured that it does not need to be rushed.”

Not long after Richmond’s release, the Devils announced their monumental signing to the AFL world.

Tasmania Football Club president Grant O’Brien couldn’t help but boast about his club’s appointment of such a respected industry figure.

“Not only do we have a highly successful and proven AFL Club CEO, but we have also tempted home a proud son of Tasmania,” O’Brien said in a Devils Clubs statement on Friday afternoon.

“Brendon grew up on the northwest coast of Tasmania and, prior to his incredible 244-game career at AFL level, played his early days for Burnie Hawks and represented Tasmanian four times.

“This is a huge vote of confidence in our Club.

“Brendon is fully committed to concentrating on completing his role at Richmond Football Club in the same professional manner that has been a feature of his leadership at the Club and, whilst we are excited, we respect the fact that he has a big job ahead of him. complete before we can welcome him home to Tasmanian football.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon expressed his support for Gale’s decision and congratulated him on his achievements leading the Tiger Army.

“Brendon is one of the great leaders of our industry and has had an incredible impact on the Richmond Football Club during his 15 years as chief executive,” Dillon said in a statement on Friday.

“His proven experience in establishing and leading high-performance environments makes him perfect as the Tasmania Devils’ first CEO and will set the club up for success from the start.

“Brendon is an important appointment for Tasmania and I want to congratulate Grant O’Brien and his team.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Brendon in his current role at Richmond and then when he starts with the Devils next year.”