ST KILDA players will visit 110 schools each year as part of the 2008 ‘Saints in the Community’ program, launched today at Luna Park.

As part of the Saints Squad initiative, players will have direct contact with over 250 children across the Bayside, Kingston, Port Phillip and Frankston City Council zones, helping demonstrate the importance of healthy living, leadership, goal setting and general wellbeing.

CEO Archie Fraser said the Saints have had a proud history of contributing to the community.

“The club’s new Saints in the Community program builds on this legacy by contributing to the communities in which we live and work, both directly and through our players,” Fraser said.

The club also officially announced its four key community partners; The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Make-A-Wish Australia, Sacred Heart Mission and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Every St Kilda-listed player has been aligned with one of the club’s four community partners and throughout the year will engage in these organisations’ community programs.

Players will also be serving food to the homeless at Sacred Heart Mission, visiting hospitalised children in the Starlight Express Room and Royal Children’s Hospital through the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Make-A-Wish Australia initiatives and also playing a key leadership role in The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s “Better Buddies” program.

Three of the club’s senior players have taken a leadership role in the program. Luke Ball (Community Champion), Leigh Montagna and Xavier Clarke (Community Ambassadors) have spearheaded the development the program and were present for the launch.

“As AFL players we’re all very aware of the positive influence and the positive impact we can have on the community and people less fortunate than us,” Ball said.

“It’s humbling, it’s embarrassing at times. The Saints’ community program is all about embracing it and doing something about that rather than ignoring it.

“It can be good for our footy as well. If we’re struggling to get a kick and we go out there to serve lunch at Sacred Heart Mission, all of a sudden you think you’re not doing too bad. So it keeps everything in perspective as well.”

Clarke says the new initiative is player-driven.

“We’re doing it in our own time, before a training session in the afternoon,” he said.

“Myself coming from Darwin, I wanted to embrace the chance to pass on opportunities to other kids as well… the younger guys at the club are all looking forward to getting out to the schools and building relationships in the community.”