Saints News It's official, Saints are New Zealand bound!

[stkildathunda]

StKilda has confirmed we will play historic game in New Zealand in ANZAC Day 2013 against Sydney - via FoxSports

 

[stkildathunda]

Game will be 7.30pm NZ time so 5.30 here

 

[Coconut_twirl]

StKilda has confirmed we will play historic game in New Zealand in ANZAC Day 2013 against Sydney - via FoxSports

This will be very intriguing indeed, the AFL expanding overseas for their premiership season. Tips for a crowd? 10-12k?

 

[stkildathunda]

From Saints website.

I am delighted to write to you as a valued Member of the St Kilda Football Club to inform you that today marks a significant milestone in the history of the AFL and that your Club is leading the charge.

In a history making agreement between St Kilda Football Club, the AFL and Wellington City Council, we will play the Sydney Swans in Wellington, New Zealand on ANZAC Day in 2013. The first time a match for premiership points will be held outside of Australia.

Our match will be played at Wellington’s world-class Westpac Stadium, which is right on the doorstep of the CBD and is almost purpose built for AFL football.

The match will be played at 7:40pm in Wellington. This means it will be broadcast live into eastern Australia on Fox Footy at 5:30pm, directly after the traditional Essendon & Collingwood match at the MCG.

In the coming months, we will provide you with more information on the many & varied experiences that Wellington has to offer. Importantly though Wellington is only a 3.5 hour direct flight from either Melbourne or Sydney - a shorter trip than heading to Subiaco!

As a Saints Member you will receive admission to the Wellington match as a part of your 2013 Membership entitlement. Reserved seating and travel options will be provided exclusively to Saints Members as a priority in the coming weeks.

We appreciate that it may not be possible for all Members to attend this historic match in Wellington. Accordingly, a replacement match will be announced once the AFL Fixture is confirmed towards the end of October. This will ensure that our loyal Members will continue to have access to 11 ‘home’ matches in Melbourne.

I am sure you will agree that ANZAC Day is deeply significant to both our nations; remembering the sacrifice service men and women from Australia and New Zealand have made and celebrating the freedom we enjoy as a result.

All Saints Members can be proud in the knowledge that together we are playing a leading role in not only creating AFL history, but a meaningful role in creating an event that will be a powerful celebration of the strategic defence alliance between two sister countries, that have stood shoulder to shoulder through periods of great challenge, for almost a 100 years.

We hope that you are able to join us in Wellington next April and help paint the town Red White & Black!


Michael Nettlefold
Chief Executive Officer

 

[UnfinishedBusiness]

So it seems they will only play one game in NZ in 2013.

 

[sammm]

http://www.saintsafl.co.nz/nz/index.php

http://www.saints.com.au/tabid/5315/default.aspx?newsid=147514

http://www.saints.com.au/tabid/5315/default.aspx?newsid=147403

http://www.saintsafl.co.nz/nz/register.php

http://www.saintsafl.co.nz/nz/membership.php

 

[Kildonan]

Historic news

 

[BrianSpeaking]

Having trouble viewing? Please click here.

Official Communications Partner of the St Kilda Football Club





Dear .........

I am delighted to write to you as a valued supporter of the St Kilda Football Club to inform you that today marks a significant milestone in the history of the AFL and that your Club is leading the charge.

In a history making agreement between St Kilda Football Club, the AFL and Wellington City Council, we will play the Sydney Swans in Wellington, New Zealand on ANZAC Day in 2013. The first time a match for premiership points will be held outside of Australia.

Our match will be played at Wellington's world-class Westpac Stadium, which is right on the doorstep of the CBD and is almost purpose built for AFL football.

The match will be played at 7:40pm in Wellington. This means it will be broadcast live into eastern Australia on Fox Footy at 5:30pm, directly after the traditional Essendon & Collingwood match at the MCG.

I am sure you will agree that ANZAC Day is deeply significant to both our nations; remembering the sacrifice service men and women from Australia and New Zealand have made and celebrating the freedom we enjoy as a result.

All Saints Supporters can be proud in the knowledge that together we are playing a leading role in not only creating AFL history, but a meaningful role in creating an event that will be a powerful celebration of the strategic defence alliance between two sister countries, that have stood shoulder to shoulder through periods of great challenge, for almost 100 years.

We hope that you are able to join us in Wellington next April and help paint the town Red White & Black!


Michael Nettlefold
Chief Executive Officer





St Kilda Football Club
Linen House Centre
151 East Road
Seaford VIC 3198, Australia
Phone: 1300 GO SAINTS (1300 467 246)
Fax: (03) 9643 1735
www.saints.com.au

To unsubscribe from this email service or edit any of your personal details please click here.

 

[BrianSpeaking]

Very exciting, also gives us access to find the next NZ Natanui(if one exists!)

 

[saintsrfreak]

Already a thread on this

 

[BrianSpeaking]

Already a thread on this

I'm on the iPhone, this is the official announcement, not speculation.

 

[saintsrfreak]

I'm on the iPhone, this is the official announcement, not speculation.

So is the other thread, there's an article on the Saints website

 

[FlyingSledghamer]

That is sensational news. Really great work by nettlefold and co. Im proud to support this club.

 

[Sunshine Saint]

Another great step forward.

The professionalism shown across the board at St Kilda, is once again showing through.

 

[sauce_head]

As long as we never relocate there I am happy! Second match needs to be in ski season!

 

[hayes]

Great news. Another step in the right direction, very exciting for the future.

 

[jbass002]

Great news!

 

[Squizz]

Whilst Sydney (as the opposition) has been long speculated, I was a bit disappointed. Thought it would be an excuse to get out of one of the poor drawing games at Etihad.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s-in-new-zealand/story-fnca0u4y-1226472698770

"This is a significant moment, not only in the history of the St Kilda Football Club but also for the AFL," Saints president Greg Westaway said.

"St Kilda, with the strong support of the AFL, is very proud to be at the forefront of promoting and growing our sport internationally."

The initial deal between the Saints, the AFL and Wellington City Council is for three years, provided all parties are satisfied after the first year.

But the Saints hope it will continue long-term.

Saints chief executive Michael Nettlefold said while the arrangement should benefit St Kilda commercially, they also aim to promote the sport in New Zealand.

 

[Squizz]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/147501/default.aspx

Gillon McLachlan said the 34,000-capacity stadium could be packed out for the historic match, and said the league had hopes that one day a standalone New Zealand team would be a part of the AFL.

The Saints have been negotiating with the AFL and the Wellington City Council for months to arrange the match.

The initial agreement is that St Kilda will host five games at Westpac Stadium over the next three years, with two to come in 2014 and another two in 2015.

 

[Murraj1966]

A Sydney following mate of mine wants to go and I think I will, don't want to pass up history like that.

It'd be the best game for a bigfooty meet up

 

[BrianSpeaking]

A Sydney following mate of mine wants to go and I think I will, don't want to pass up history like that.

It'd be the best game for a bigfooty meet up

Aussiethunda and I will be heading to NZ a few days before playing golf at Paraparamu Beach Golf Club, let's get a tour happening and make a great week of it! Any interest please let me know, I have a couple of recent former Saints who are keen to head over for a hit.

 

[Strahany]

I would, except my golfing resembles javelin more than it does golf.

 

[Sipossmagic]

I will give you all a tip there will be a pre season game played in NZ as well

 

[StFly]

I would, except my golfing resembles javelin more than it does golf.

If you see a random arm pick it up, it'll probably be mine as the club drops limply to the ground next to a screaming bloke about how it bloody hurts to move that quickly.

I will however happily attach myself to another individual and cheat on their behalf by shuffling across the course and kicking their ball towards the hole. Because there's a h in cheat and that means it'll all be on him.

 

[Murraj1966]

I'd be up for some golf but I think it's got a bit too much Happy Gilmore to it.

Anyway closer to the time we'll figure out who on Bigfooty is going and who isn't and organise a meet up at the game.