The Saints have officially relaunched their Sapyen Father Son/Daughter Program, with some famous St Kilda surnames headlining an exciting 2023.

After COVID-19 halted its progress, the program’s return will play an important role in strengthening the connection to the club for former players and their children, while identifying and developing emerging talent for potential AFL/W listing.

Manager of Community Football Pathways and Partnerships, Jack Henty, said the club was thrilled to have the program back in full force.

“The Sapyen Father Son/Daughter program is a great way to engage our Saints family including past players, their partners and their kids,” Henty said. 

“The main purpose of the program is provide a formal engagement point with the club for these kids and their parents, and provide opportunities and resources for the sons and daughters to be the best people and footballers.

“We have had some past examples of program participants graduating to AFL/W level, including Bailey Rice, Alice Burke and Caitlin Matthews.”

Catering to all ages up to 18, the Sapyen Father Son/Daughter Program is open to the sons and daughters whose fathers played at least 100 or one AFL game respectively.

Commitments increase with age, from STK Academy school holiday sessions to elite training camps and guards of honour at AFL games.

Those in the 15-18 age bracket are also part of the wider STK Academy elite squad, which last year saw graduates Cam Mackenzie (Hawthorn) and Angus McLennan (St Kilda) earn AFL contracts.

This year's elite crop includes father-son prospects Gillon Wakelin, Boston Everitt and Elwood Peckett, with the latter two eligible for the 2024 draft.

Register here if you’re a former player who’d like your kid involved.