STAGE one of a $13 million dollar redevelopment at St Kilda’s Moorabbin training base has been officially opened.
The first stage of the project has been completed in time to be used by the Saints’ AFLW team, which is set to make their debut in 2020.
The completed facilities include female change rooms, player meeting rooms, match committee rooms, and a lounge. The next state of the redevelopment will add a grandstand and pool. A total of $25 million in taxpayer money has been committed towards re-homing the St Kilda Football Club at Moorabbin.
Sports minister Martin Pakula said “these terrific new Moorabbin facilities will provide female footballers at both the elite and grassroots level with the opportunity to be their very best.”
“We’re proud to be bringing elite footy back to Moorabbin Oval, the home of the St Kilda Football Club, as the AFLW Saints prepare to join the national league,” he said.
St Kilda AFLW coach Peta Searle said “it’s really important for us to create an environment where our players feel like they belong. This facility gives the girls a place of their own and the space to carve their own paths here at the Saints.”
The St Kilda Football Club finalised their move to Moorabbin from Seaford in 2016 after Kingston Council voted to give the Saints a 25 year lease with an option for a further 25 years.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 14 August 2019