A letter from the President to the St Kilda faithful.
Dear Saints Supporters,
I last wrote to you in May and it has been exciting to see the team return from the break in good form and deliver three wins from four games. Unfortunately, with Victoria’s cases of COVID-19 again growing, the AFL has been forced to create interstate hubs that will allow the season to continue.
As most will now know, our players, coaches and staff left yesterday bound for Noosa, which will become our new home over the next month. Whilst the Queensland sunshine sounds appealing in the middle of a Melbourne winter, I don’t underestimate the disruption this move has caused to the lives of our players, coaches, staff and their families.
I want to acknowledge the sacrifices they are making for matches to continue, which we know is so pivotal to the overall health of the St Kilda Football Club and the game in general. Our entire playing group has chosen to be part of the hub as a commitment to one another to continue to build on the momentum that began in November.
Across the club generally, I am so proud of how everybody has responded to so much challenge, change and hardship. The commitment from all at the club to our shared purpose has been incredible. Rather than complaining about the challenges, everyone has been not only just getting on with it, but looking for opportunities to learn and thrive.
We have been fielding this year one of the youngest and most inexperienced sides in the competition. We know there is a long way to go before we find the consistency that is the hallmark of the very best teams. However, what has been evident in recent weeks is that we have the young talent, coaches and senior football and fitness staff to help us develop into a formidable side. In such an even season there are no easy games, but this also provides an opportunity to move up the ladder if we can remain positive, disciplined and resilient.
We know there is no escaping the financial impact that this global pandemic is having on our Club, the AFL, and the Australian economy, but with your help, we are fighting our way through the challenges. The vast majority of our members – more than 98 per cent – have remained committed to the club, with many pledging their membership and donating extra money to help the club emerge from this crisis in a position to compete.
Remarkably, we are now less than 1,000 members short of an all-time club record membership tally. While we are still unable to provide a timeframe as to when crowds will be allowed back at games, I want those who are considering signing up to know that your support will directly shape our future.
As you will have seen on our social media and other digital channels, the club is committed to sharing as much of this roller-coaster season and the work that is being done behind the scenes with our members. We know that while the stands are empty, there is an army of Saints supporters behind us and this gives us real strength.
In tough times, our staff, our players and our supporters have stood strong. I take from this great optimism for our future!
Stay safe and look after one another.
Andrew Bassat.
