Monash Memo - 4 July 2001

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Footy partnership for Monash

Monash and the St Kilda Football Club last week announced they had joined forces in a new strategic alliance, the first of its kind between an AFL club and a university.

Vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson and St Kilda president Mr Rod Butters made the joint announcement at the Sports and Recreation Centre at Clayton last week.

The pair said that while the new alliance would initially see the club using Monash as its pre-season training venue and as an alternative rehabilitation facility during the normal season, they were keen to build on the relationship in the future.

As part of the agreement, St Kilda will not only gain access to Monash's sporting facilities, its players will also collaborate with Monash academics on research programs designed to improve player performance.

The club will work closely with researchers on specific studies, such as the ongoing hamstring injury research project in the Department of Physiology, and gain access to educational and professional development opportunities.

Professor Robinson, who was signed up as an honorary St Kilda member during the announcement, welcomed the new alliance.

"The deal demonstrates Monash's desire to be actively engaged with the communities surrounding its campuses and to find partners in key areas," he said.

Mr Butters said the university's excellent sporting facilities, including the football oval, athletics track, swimming pools, gymnasium and fitness centre, and rehabilitation services, would greatly benefit the club.

"And initial activities, such as the hamstring research project, will have a positive impact on the team's performance over coming seasons," he said.

The alliance will enable St Kilda to establish closer links to its supporter base in the Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs and allow both organisations to develop community-based initiatives.

Caption: Professor David Robinson and Mr Rod Butters seal the agreement.