In the spirit of giving, the Saints have added a surprise 13th day to the 12 Days of Christmas campaign …. and what a day it is!



Today, we are giving supporters a present to remember – the gift of returning the Club to our spiritual home, Moorabbin.



The magic of Moorabbin will be honoured and brought back to life after the Victorian Government this morning confirmed a $12-million commitment to return St Kilda to the famous ground.



“This is a fantastic result for the Club, our supporters and the local community,” St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said.



“A new elite training, administration and community facility at Moorabbin will underpin our future success and build on the positive momentum at the Saints.”



Victorian Minister for Sport, John Eren, described Moorabbin as ‘St Kilda’s sacred turf’.



“We’re upgrading it, so the Saints can return to their spiritual home and the community has a state-of-the-art facility it can be proud of,” he said.



Today’s funding announcement follows earlier commitments from the AFL and AFL Victoria ($6 million), Kingston City Council ($5 million), Southern Football & Netball league (SFNL - $250,000) and South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL - $150,000) and means the approximately $30 million project will now proceed. St Kilda will also need to make a significant contribution towards the project.



“We thank and congratulate all supporters of this project - but especially the Victorian Government, Kingston City Council and the AFL - for sharing our vision and providing the backing to make it a reality,” Finnis said.



“We are thrilled to be strengthening our ties with the SMJFL, SFNL and Sandringham Dragons and look forward to providing a uniquely integrated pathway for young footballers from Auskick right through to the AFL.”



The new facility will include:

An elite, purpose-built training and administration base that includes a gym, theatrette, indoor basketball court and swimming pool;

Dedicated facilities to accommodate local football leagues and other community activities;

High quality visitor facilities for members and supporters including a social club, covered viewing area, toilets, function rooms, retail outlets, museum and a café/bistro.

Additional room to accommodate an expanding football program including proposed stand-alone St Kilda VFL team;



“Returning to our spiritual home - with such an emotional and physical link to our history and heartland - and transforming it from a state-of-decay into an elite AFL and community facility is extremely exciting,” Finnis said.



“We have ambitious plans to re-imagine Moorabbin to create a vibrant football and community precinct which will compliment Kingston City Council’s broader plans for the social and economic development of the immediate area.



Kingston Mayor Tamsin Bearsley said council’s contribution to the Moorabbin redevelopment would include $1million for landscaping works to upgrade the surrounding parkland.



“This is a great opportunity to invest in our community by providing a community football hub, a much-needed indoor sports court and improved parkland. And of course we are thrilled to see the return of the Saints to their traditional heartland in Moorabbin,” Mayor Bearsley said.



Finnis said that the completed Moorabbin development would be a true community project including serving as the headquarters for:

South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) which represents 27 Clubs, 399 teams and 9,200 participants (Australia’s largest junior football competition).

Southern Football & Netball league (SFNL) which represents 32 football Clubs, 92 football teams, 21 netball Clubs, 52 netball teams and more than 3,000 participants across both sports.

AFL Victoria regional office along with being the home base for the Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup).

St Kilda’s proposed new stand-alone VFL team and;

Local Auskick programs



Detailed architectural designs will now be developed and construction would begin early in the new-year. The project is aimed for completion by mid-2017.

Finnis said the Saints remain committed to supporting fans and football development in Frankston and the southern bayside region for years to come and also look forward to continuing to discuss a range of ideas with Frankston City Council in the New Year.

“The City of Frankston partnered with St Kilda to establish a facility at Seaford which will now be able to accommodate broader community sporting needs in the region and we are very keen to support them to optimise the opportunity this presents,” he said.