St Kilda Football Club is pleased to announce it has extended its VFL alignment with the Sandringham Zebras until the end of 2015.

This new agreement will see both clubs look to establish stand-alone VFL teams from 2016 onwards.

“The objective for both St Kilda and Sandringham to field stand-alone VFL teams from 2016 would mean that there is a clear development pathway for players of each respective club,” St Kilda Head of Football, Chris Pelchen said.

“In the meantime, our partnership continues to be an important part of St Kilda's development program and we remain committed to bringing success to Sandringham in the VFL competition.”

Sandringham Football Club General Manager John Mennie said the affiliation between the two clubs continues to be beneficial for both parties.

“This renewed agreement will ensure that both Saints players and Sandy players are afforded the best opportunity to play at VFL level,” John Mennie said.

The Saints have been aligned with Sandringham since 2009, strengthening the alliance in 2012 with the appointment of Simon McPhee working in a dual role as Sandringham's Senior Coach and as a Development Coach with the Saints.

Plans are underway to redevelop St Kilda's former training base at Moorabbin Oval into a community hub with one of the key objectives for the Saints to field a VFL team from the ground when the new VFL agreement has expired.