St Kilda Football Club has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community football, renewing its ongoing partnership with the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL). 

The premier senior football competition in the south, the SFNL expands across Melbourne, spanning from Port Melbourne all the way to Cerberus. 

St Kilda Chief Executive Officer Matt Finnis said the renewal was an important step to ensuring the growth of footy. 

“We are really proud to extend our partnership with the SFNL,” Finnis said. 

“We know the vital role local football clubs play in keeping our sport thriving in the community. Renewing this relationship exemplifies our commitment to ensuring the future of those clubs.

“We are proud to stand alongside a league so committed to nourishing the growth of grassroots football across Melbourne’s south and hope we can help bridge the gap between elite level and community sport.

This renewal marks the third year of the partnership, with previous joint initiatives including male and female development squads, coached by former Saints player and current AFLW senior coach Nick Dal Santo, proving a great success.

SFNL CEO Lee Hartman said he was excited to continue to grow the partnerships between the league and the Saints, including a proposed Pride Round in season 2022. 

“Our partnership is continuing to grow with St Kilda, and the benefits are on show for the SFNL clubs and participants,” Hartman told saints.com.au. 

“The introduction of the development squads, as well as being able to use the facilities at RSEA Park and the expertise of the professional STKFC staff was amazing.  

“This, along with support from the Community and Commercial teams, as well as the Football Department will see us grow stronger together.”