True Believers to help build Saints Player Academy

It is with an eye to the future today, that the St Kilda Football Club officially launches the Saints Player Academy.

The Saints are also very pleased to announce today that the Academy will be officially partnered by a recently formed Saints business group known as the ‘True Believers’.

The partnership is pertinent as this group of influential business executives, largely from the building and property industries, will provide mentoring to players about their future careers.

The Saints Player Academy is a new initiative to the AFL but it’s broadly based on the model used in the English Premier League and at major football clubs throughout Europe.

“The expansion of the national competition to 18 teams has seen the need to maximise player talent like never before,” said Head of Football, Chris Pelchen.

“This is an innovative model for the Saints, and indeed the AFL, based broadly on programs that operate in professional sporting competitions around the world.”

“The Club is very excited to partner with such a professional and dedicated group of Saints people as the ‘True Believers’.”

The Academy will apply a holistic approach to developing players’ values and skills, both new and existing.

The new coaching structure at the St Kilda FC will comprise two training models:

–       The traditional AFL Program and

–       The new Saints Player Academy Program.

Both will run parallel and be intrinsically linked at appropriate times.

Senior Coach, Scott Watters will continue to run the AFL Program while the soon-to-be appointed Academy Director will coordinate the Academy Program.

The Academy Program will benefit from three full-time specialist coaches, each with specific areas of control:

–       Paul Hudson (Skill Acquisition)

–       Simon McPhee (Sandringham FC Coach) and

–       Jaymie Graham (Leadership & Welfare).

For  more information about True Believers including Membership enquiries please contact Ian Robertson on ian.robertson@naiharcourts.com.au or 0419 335 103

MEDIA CONTACT: Kimberley Gardiner 0478 301 780