Burke, Heatley, Koschitzke, Milne. These were but a few of the famous names to grace RSEA Park for the inaugural Father-Daughter Day.
With the Saints set to join the AFLW in 2020, and the club’s
VFLW: Three in a row for Southern Saints
The introduction of the Saints’ Father-Daughter Program has provided an opportunity for past players to return to Linton St and reignite their family’s connection with the club.
The session included an introduction of St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy football program by ex-Saint Nick Dal Santo, a guided tour through RSEA Park and a club welcome from CEO Matt Finnis.
In a special moment for each of the former players and their daughters, a jumper presentation took place on the same oval where many of them had played or trained, and this was followed by the opportunity to watch the Saints’ new VFLW team in action in a training session.
Saints legend Nathan Burke presents his daughter Alice with the No. 3 guernsey.
The program has very real implications for club legend Nathan Burke, whose youngest daughter Alice is currently playing for the Sandringham Dragons and has her sights firmly set on making to the AFLW.
PHOTOS: Southern Saints down Bombers
A member of the St Kilda Team of the Century, Burke and his wife Fiona’s three girls have all followed in their father’s footsteps in the elite sporting department, excelling in soccer, running and futsal.
Reminiscent of their father’s renowned humility, the Burke girls are hesitant to showcase their accolades, even after all three have captained Victoria in either soccer or futsal.
“I wasn’t bad (at soccer) … I played for Australia last year,” Alice said casually.
Alice recently converted from the round ball game to Australian rules, and she hasn’t looked back.
“It wasn’t that dad had played footy or it’s getting bigger and there’s more of a career in it (that made me want to play), it’s that the values of footy are actually so much different … it’s all about the team and everyone high-fives after each drill.”
The 15-year-old has embraced the more physical aspect of the game, and she displays a fierce attack on the footy in true Burke style.
“It’s fun being able to run and tackle people, and obviously dad has taught me to play as hard as I can, and I’ve tried to follow in his footsteps with tackling.”
Become a member of the Southern Saints
Meanwhile, Alice’s goal is to one day run out for the Saints in the AFLW, wearing the number her father made famous over his 17-year career.
“It’s always been a competition between my sisters and me to see who can get No. 3, so to be wearing that jersey would be a dream come true.”
The Saints’ Next Generation Academy has been set up to provide a football pathway for both young
“All the kids in there have the opportunity to begin from a young age. I’m really looking forward to seeing how kids that young will be able to play when they’re older,” she said.
Nathan Burke played 323 games in the red, white and black.
The significance of the club’s Father-Daughter Program was not lost on “Burkey” either, who said it was symbolic of both how far the women’s game has already come and how much potential it still has to grow.
“It’s a reconnection with the football club,” the four-time All Australian said.
“I haven’t got sons, so potentially I can drift away from the club, but now that our girls are involved, it’s another link to the football club that wasn’t there a couple of years ago.”
The father-of-three is also thoroughly enjoying his current role as assistant coach at the Southern Saints.
“I’ve absolutely loved the VFLW. They’re a bunch of girls who are so receptive to everything you teach them,” Burke said.
“The girls who’ve played (football) for three or four years are now saying, ‘Hang on, I can actually be a part of an elite environment’.”
The Southern Saints face Hawthorn at
