There has been a flood of public commitment made to the Saints in recent times with 19 young players re-signing as part of the club’s Future Fest blitz.
This was followed by a contract extension for captain Nick Riewoldt, the arrival of Tim Membrey and the homecoming of Danny Frawley, who has returned to Linen House Centre in a coaching capacity.
All this, plus the recent draft acquisitions of Paddy McCartin, Hugh Goddard, Daniel McKenzie and Jack Lonie, highlights the fresh energy and growing commitment of players and coaches to the club.
That commitment looks to be extending to supporters with membership numbers soaring in the wake of the draft.
The club’s dedicated membership team signed up 550 members on Friday alone (the day after the National Draft) – more than five times the average for this time of year.
From Monday November 24 to Friday November 28, almost 2000 members jumped on board, catapulting St Kilda towards the 20,000 figure.
Already this is 2,250 in front of where the club was at the same time last year, again reflecting considerable continued momentum.
It isn't just the staff who are pushing this regeneration, with 36 players taking two hours of their own time to call un-renewed members last Monday evening.
“There is a genuine sense of excitement at St Kilda,” CEO Matt Finnis said.
“You can see it across the playing group, in the coaches and officials and most importantly you can see it in our fans.”
Late last month the club embarked on an unprecedented campaign to sign new members called the ‘New Member Draft’, offering playing guernseys as part of the 2015 membership for no extra charge.
Each member who signed up in this time period went into a draw to win to win a tour of Linen House Centre and the chance to meet Nick Riewoldt, Alan Richardson and Paddy McCartin.
After re-signing his family, Peter Hewitt was the lucky winner and will be invited to LHC sometime in the new year.
According to Finnis, this is just another example of the Saints loyal fan base getting behind the club following a successful National Draft.
“We know that we are heading in the right direction and it’s an exciting time for the club,” he said.
“We have signed up for talented young men and we have already seen our fans are following suit and signing up as members.”
“There is a genuine sense of excitement at St Kilda,” CEO Matt Finnis said.
“You can see it across the playing group, in the coaches and officials and most importantly you can see it in our fans.”
Late last month the club embarked on an unprecedented campaign to sign new members called the ‘New Member Draft’, offering playing guernseys as part of the 2015 membership for no extra charge.
Each member who signed up in this time period went into a draw to win to win a tour of Linen House Centre and the chance to meet Nick Riewoldt, Alan Richardson and Paddy McCartin.
After re-signing his family, Peter Hewitt was the lucky winner and will be invited to LHC sometime in the new year.
According to Finnis, this is just another example of the Saints loyal fan base getting behind the club following a successful National Draft.
“We know that we are heading in the right direction and it’s an exciting time for the club,” he said.
“We have signed up for talented young men and we have already seen our fans are following suit and signing up as members.”
