Andrew Bassat was today officially announced as the next President of the St Kilda Football Club.
The co-founder and current CEO of SEEK will succeed Peter Summers after a transition process that culminates at the club’s annual general meeting (AGM) in December.
“Having served the maximum cumulative term under our constitution of nine years as a Director, and with my most recent three-year term expiring at the next AGM, I will not be eligible to seek re-election”, Summers said.
“As such, I am not in a position to continue as President beyond the AGM.”
Summers said Bassat had his strongest possible endorsement as the next President of St Kilda and was unanimously elected by the board after a thorough succession planning process.
“Andrew is a person of great integrity and character, and his business acumen is matched only by his passion for the Saints,” Summers said.
“He was a great addition to the board in 2017 and will be a strong leader of our club.”
Summers said it was a great honour to serve the club as President.
“Next year marks my 50th consecutive year as
“The St Kilda Football Club means the world to me and my family and I will continue to do what I can every day to help the club, not just until to the AGM but beyond.”
Bassat said he was motivated to take on the role by a life-long connection to the Saints.
“I am honoured and excited by this opportunity,” he said.
“I have been a passionate Saints supporter from my early childhood and am highly motivated by the opportunity to play a role to help the club achieve both short and long-term success,” he said.
“Having been born in 1966, I, like so many of our loyal supporters, have never witnessed a Saints’ premiership and the ultimate goal of myself and everyone else involved with the Club is to bring home our second flag.”
“However, we have a lot of hard work to do first. As a club, we need to focus on addressing a disappointing 2018 season. We must learn from it, and ensure we make the right decisions to put us back on the path to success.
“That begins with earning the right to play finals football and repaying the faith our supporters have shown in us.
“It is a tough competition and now more than ever we need every single St Kilda member and supporter to stick with us in order for us start heading back in the right direction.
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Bassat said the club would recognise the substantial contribution of Peter Summers at an appropriate time.
“I have really enjoyed working with Peter and have great admiration for his entirely selfless service for the club,” he said.
“It is always about what is right for the club with Peter and he will long be valued for his integrity, leadership and the stability he has brought to the club.
“Peter’s strong legacy includes the successful return of St Kilda to its home in Moorabbin and what will be a $50 million state of the art facility when completed.”
