| MoorabbinAirport

December 2022

Exciting draft-eligible talent, father-son prospects and the piloting of an elite female football program have the STK Academy poised for a bigger and better 2023.

Following a successful 2022 which saw STK Academy graduates Cameron Mackenzie (Hawthorn) and Angus McLennan (St Kilda) earn AFL contracts, the Academy's 2023 elite boys squad (16-18 years of age) recently assembled for the first time in a full-day training camp at RSEA Park. The intensive day allowed the players to get a head-start on their 2023 campaign, with apparel partner New Balance also coming to the party to kit out the squad.

"The purpose of the camp was to firstly bring together our Academy players, who all have different education and sporting commitments, and begin to benchmark where the athletes are at physically and technically," Manager of Community Football Pathways and Partnerships, Jack Henty, said.

"Secondly, it was a great chance to provide educational streams to the players on the holistic nature of being a professional footballer, including off-field life skills and professional standards."

"We have had two strong years with six players being drafted by either our club or other AFL clubs, and the talent coming through looks to be healthy."

Josh Dockin g and Will Nish will be names to watch in next year's STK Academy elite squad, with the Sandringham Dragons duo eligible for the 2023 draft, while small forward Sam Latreille will play for the Saints' VFL affiliate Sandringham Zebras in the hope of being drafted after missing out this year as a bottom-ager.

Father-son prospects Boston Everitt and Elwood Peckett will also look to continue their promising development as they eye the 2024 draft. Henty said there was plenty to look forward to, but not just from the perspective of the elite boys squad. "We're looking forward to a full and uninterrupted 2023 elite program which will provide full opportunities for the players and staff involved to develop and be the best they can be," he said.

"Through the support of Moorabbin Airport and the AFL, we will also be piloting an elite female academy for multicultural and Indigenous females in bayside aged 16 to 19 to receive the same support and resources that the current boys do.

"We are also looking forward to helping and inspiring the next generation of males and females through our junior academies (13-15 years of age) throughout Melbourne’s south. We are assisted greatly in our strong football heartland through our community football partners – SMJFL, FDJFL, Sandringham Dragons and Dandenong Stingrays."

The Saints wish to thank STK Academy partner Moorabbin Airport for its ongoing support as they celebrate these key achievements for the STK Academy in 2022:

Branding change from Next Generation Academy to STK Academy
Extension and expansion of partnership with Moorabbin Airport to partner with the whole STK Academy brand to 2024.
Aligned academy NAB League zones (Sandringham Dragons and Dandenong Stingrays) playing off in both the male and female NAB League Grand Finals, with a strong representation of players who graduated from the Saints' junior academies.
Over 1000 kids participating in the STK Academy school holidays programs
Two players drafted from elite squad
A total of six AFL draftees coming through the Saints' junior academies (Charlie Clarke, Olli Hotton, Cam Mackenzie, Gus McLennan, Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw

For all media enquiries, please contact Natalie or Genevieve at Communications Collective. Natalie James 0430 335 638 [email protected] Genevieve Brannigan 0411 037 109 [email protected]

About Moorabbin Airport

Moorabbin Airport is Australia’s leading general aviation flight training airport located in the south-east of Melbourne. Spanning 294 hectares, the Airport is Australia’s second busiest airbase and is home to a range of general aviation activities including flying training, flight charter, aviation maintenance, as well as general and recreation aviation operations. Supporting the viability of aviation activities, the Airport also has a thriving non-aviation commercial centre, including Kingston Central Plaza and a Direct Factory Outlet (DFO), as well as an array of retailer and hospitality providers which provide employment for many local residents in the City of Kingston. Located on the north and south-eastern perimeter of the precinct, Chifley Business Park is home to leading industrial facilities and commercial offices for business customers.

Committed to safely building a sustainable future for aviation, business and local community, Moorabbin Airport was awarded ‘Metro Airport of the Year’ in 2022 by the Australian Airports Association (AAA) and is recognised as a State Significant site, a major employer and a centre for community activity in one of the fastest growing regions in Victoria.

About Moorabbin Airport Corporation and Goodman Group

Privately owned and funded, Moorabbin Airport Corporation Ltd (MAC) purchased a long-term lease on the Moorabbin Airport site from the Commonwealth Government in 1998. MAC’s role is to maintain and develop the Airport infrastructure and the provision of a safe airport for all users. MAC is wholly owned by Goodman Group, the largest industrial property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: GMG) and one of the largest listed specialist investment managers of industrial property and business space globally.

STK ACADEMY GEARS UP FOR BIG 2023