St Kilda’s recent momentum hit a new level today with the club passing it’s 2014 membership figure of 30,739.
CEO Matt Finnis said this was the first time in four years that the club had seen an increase in year-on-year membership and was an impressive result ahead of Sunday's season opener.
“Today we signed up our 30,740th member which passes last year’s final number – this is a great result and a strong sign that our fans are buying back into the club,” he said.
“We are an AFL foundation club with a significant supporter base - we are the competition’s sleeping giant and it’s exciting to see our latent fan base starting to really stir.”
Buy a membership HERE or call 1300 467 246 ahead our season opener against GWS on Sunday April 5.
Finnis said the last time the Saints had increased its membership was 2010 (a Grand Final year).
“We are the ‘people’s club’ and are determined to reconnect with our supporters by being open and inclusive and taking the club to them in fresh and exciting ways,” he said.
“We have been making a big effort to communicate better with our supporters.
“There are good people and clear plans in place at the club and we believe we are heading in the right direction.”
Speaking four days out from St Kilda’s round one home game, Finnis said if the positive momentum continued the club could reach 35,000 members this year.
“Like the place where it was born, St Kilda Football Club is the great equaliser where everyone belongs - there’s something magic about being part of it and I hope all our supporters really get behind their club and become a member,” he said.
Buy tickets HERE ahead of our season opener against GWS on Sunday April 5.
Some of the positive announcements made by St Kilda since the end of the 2014 season include:
- Re-signing 19 young players as part of Saints Future Fest
- Re-signing Nick Riewoldt until the end of 2016 and Jack Steven until the end of 2020
- Drafting No. 1 pick Paddy McCartin and recruiting former Swan Tim Membrey
- Signing Dare Iced Coffee and SEEK as new corporate partners
- Bringing the popular Ahmed Saad (rookie list) and Danny Frawley (defensive coach) back to the club
- Appointing Jamie Cox as GM – High Performance
Finnis said St Kilda’s retention rate of 2014 members sits at 88 per cent which is the best of the Victorian clubs and is something to be proud of.
“We have had some great wins but we know there are nearly 10,000 club members from the past five years or so who have not re-signed and hundreds of thousands of supporters who have never been a member that we need to have join the club,” he said.
“Now is the time to really get behind the club and be part of the regeneration that is taking place.”