A BOLD proposal for the future was the main talking point following Thursday night’s season launch event, The Road to 2018.

The cocktail event, which officially kicked off the 2014 campaign, detailed ambitious new initiatives that intend to provide a framework on and off the field for years to come.  

Nick Riewoldt addressed the crowd, as did Alan Richardson and youngster Daniel Markworth, while Jason Blake, Justin Koschitzke and Stephen Milne presented each player with their guernsey for the season.

But the overriding theme for the night revolved around a strategic plan which was laid bare by President Peter Summers and Interim CEO Terry Dillon.

“Tonight is about our goals for the future and being accountable for those goals,” Summers said with gusto in his speech to hundreds of St Kilda stakeholders including the entire playing list.  

“Ultimately, our vision is to be more than just a football club. We aspire to be an elite professional sporting organisation that at its core has a commitment to exceptional football.”

The strategic vision outlined a number of key objectives to be achieved by 2018, but one aim, which has a slightly longer timeframe, aspires to win a premiership by 2020.

“And if we are going to be a contender,” Summers preached, “we may as well plan to win the bloody thing!”

Summers stressed that the organisation is prepared to make difficult decisions, for the betterment of the club. He detailed his own past – 45 years of passionate Saints support – and looked ahead to the future with bullish optimism.

“We are developing detailed business plans covering all aspects of our business. These form the ‘how we get there’ element. They drive us every day towards our goals. Many of these will be communicated to members in time as part of clear actions and agendas.”

Dillon’s speech had a similarly upbeat tone. It was refreshingly candid, with honesty a cornerstone of the overall strategic plan, and focussed on the St Kilda heartland “from Port Melbourne to Portsea.”

“We are the bayside club,” Dillon proclaimed. “This is who we are… Our aim is to be part of your children’s experience in school, to engage with your local businesses and to work alongside your local councils.”

“For us to succeed as a football club we need to become a vital part of your community. It’s critical to our success.”

One of these communities is the City of Kingston, a region that is traditionally identifiable with St Kilda Football Club.

Dillon addressed various issues regarding Moorabbin, such as the club’s plans for the future, its usage and its relationship in conjunction with Linen House Centre.

“We have bold plans for Moorabbin,” he said. “[However] this does not mean we are leaving the Linen House Centre in Seaford.”

“We believe having a footprint at both ends of Bayside is an asset. This is our turf, and it’s great to have a Saints Embassy at either end of the Nepean Highway.”

While the Sandringham Zebras continue to be closely affiliated with St Kilda, Dillon proposed a Saints standalone VFL team, due to be calling Moorabbin home by 2016.

“This will be a significant moment for all Saints supporters and reinforces our commitment to our heartland and building on our talent pathway and academy structure,” he said. “It will be a place where St Kilda people want to go again as well as becoming a commercial asset for our future.”

The Saints major sponsor LEDified was also announced to be extending its relationship with St Kilda to the end of 2015, with the option for an extra year.

“It has been an extremely positive partnership between both parties,” Summers said. “On behalf of the Board and the club I would like to thank Suren Chandrajitand Adrian Uberti for their on-going support of the Saints. It is greatly appreciated and we look forward to our currently strong relationship becoming stronger into the future.  

You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32