Dear St Kilda members,
It is with tremendous pride that I write to you tonight to announce our club has surpassed its all-time membership record.
As of yesterday, we were sitting just above 47,000 members, beyond the previous record of 46,301 set in 2018, and many more than the 43,000 members who signed on last season.
To achieve this milestone at a time when our whole community has faced such hardship is incredibly heartening, and as I have said before, I am so proud to belong to such a passionate and loyal tribe.
In recognition of this incredible support, the club will provide every member who is signed up for a 2020 membership before the end of August the opportunity to upgrade their membership free of charge in 2021.
Whether this means a chance to attend more Saints games, an enhanced vantage point at Marvel Stadium or priority access to tickets, we hope this offer expresses our sincere gratitude and acknowledges your commitment.
More details will follow, and we ask for your patience as we work to communicate with you more specifically about your 2021 membership options.
The club originally set about securing 50,000 members this season and – despite the obvious obstacles – this ambitious target remarkably remains within reach.
Signing another 3,000 members in the next month would seem impossible to many people, but I am getting used to seeing Saints supporters rise above the odds.
There's still time to join the march in 2020. Click here to donate $50 or more and you'll be counted as an official 2020 member.
The impact of COVID-19 on the football season has been enormous. From the first lockdown and the postponement of the season to the reality that many would not be able to see games in 2020 and now Melbourne’s second lockdown, your response throughout has been staggering.
Thousands of you have pledged your membership. Some have generously reached out to purchase a membership for those unable to continue with their payments, ensuring that we have held on to every single member. We have added 4,000 new members since March and more than $200,000 has been donated to the club. Amazing in such difficult times!
These contributions will go a long way to ensuring the club limits the financial damage of COVID-19 and allows us to emerge in 2021 in a position to really challenge the best in the competition on and off the field.
The support from St Kilda people has been humbling and inspiring for our players, coaches and hardworking staff who remain part of a skeleton workforce.
It has been exciting to see the team start to come together under Brett Ratten. We know there is still much work to be done to become a genuine contender, but the clear improvement this year from what is still a relatively young and inexperienced team has been encouraging. We are playing with great spirit and have proved that our best football can compete with anyone. We are now striving to deliver on a more consistent basis.
We look forward to undertaking this journey together, and riding the highs and lows over the coming months and years ahead with the same unique bond that has helped us through the first six months of 2020.
For our Victorian members, we hope you and your families remain safe and well during the next period of restrictions.
For our other members across Australia who have been in full voice at recent matches, thank you for representing the club with such passion.
Warm regards,
Andrew Bassat
As our way of saying thanks, every 2020 St Kilda member that renews will receive a free upgrade for 2021
Click here for more information about the upgrades or contact our Membership team on 1300 467 246 (Monday-Friday, between 9am and 3pm).
