I am delighted to write to you as a valued Member of the St Kilda Football Club to inform you that today marks a significant milestone in the history of the AFL and that your Club is leading the charge.

In a history making agreement between St Kilda Football Club, the AFL and Wellington City Council, we will play the Sydney Swans in Wellington, New Zealand on Anazac Day in 2013.  The first time a match for premiership points will be held outside of Australia.

Our match will be played at Wellington’s world-class Westpac Stadium, which is right on the doorstep of the CBD and is almost purpose built for AFL football.

The match will be played at 7:40pm in Wellington.  This means it will be broadcast live into eastern Australia on Fox Footy at 5:30pm, directly after the traditional Essendon & Collingwood match at the MCG.

In the coming months, we will provide you with more information on the many & varied experiences that Wellington has to offer.  Importantly though Wellington is only a 3.5 hour direct flight from either Melbourne or Sydney - a shorter trip than heading to Subiaco!

As a Saints Member you will receive admission to the Wellington match as a part of your 2013 Membership entitlement.  Reserved seating and travel options will be provided exclusively to Saints Members as a priority in the coming weeks.

We appreciate that it may not be possible for all Members to attend this historic match in Wellington.  Accordingly, a replacement match will be announced once the AFL Fixture is confirmed towards the end of October.  This will ensure that our loyal Members will continue to have access to 11 ‘home’ matches in Melbourne.

I am sure you will agree that Anazac Day is deeply significant to both our nations; remembering the sacrifice service men and women from Australia and New Zealand have made and celebrating the freedom we enjoy as a result.

All Saints Members can be proud in the knowledge that together we are playing a leading role in not only creating AFL history, but a meaningful role in creating an event that will be a powerful celebration of the strategic defence alliance between two sister countries, that have stood shoulder to shoulder through periods of great challenge, for almost 100 years.

We hope that you are able to join us in Wellington next April and help paint the town Red White & Black!


Michael Nettlefold
Chief Executive Officer