In a move poised to support future Saints stars and young people throughout Melbourne’s south, Moorabbin Airport has expanded and extended its partnership with St Kilda Football Club through the STK Academy.

With a keen focus on building strong communities and generating employment opportunities, Moorabbin Airport has been supporting the St Kilda Football Club for the past three years. This year, Moorabbin has expanded its commitment to include the Junior and Elite talent pathways and All Nations and Indigenous programs.

“We’re thrilled to have Moorabbin Airport deepen their commitment to not only building pathways for future footy stars to achieve, but also give opportunity to those looking to experience football for the first time,” General Manager of Commercial Chris Larkins said.

“This partnership will make a tangible difference to the community, with funds going directly toward providing thousands of young people access to not only practical football skills, but also specialist advice from elite experts, education opportunities and mental and physical health support.”

The STK Academy has many exciting events scheduled, including the Indigenous camp, multicultural scholarship graduation and elite program camp. This is in addition to recent school holiday programs.

“Many of the qualities required to excel in football such as leadership, confidence, and a willingness to learn are directly transferrable to an aviation career. With the program reaching so many school students, we will increase aviation career awareness,” Moorabbin Airport CEO Paul Ferguson said.

“Over the five years of the partnership over 18,000 students from more than 70 schools across south-east Melbourne have participated in STK Academy programs, a number we’re looking forward to seeing grow as this partnership continues.”

This sponsorship extension sees the relationship between Moorabbin Airport and the Saints cemented until at least the end of 2024.