The Saints are one of four new teams due to join the AFLW in 2020, and they will do so after a summer of training in elite surrounds.

The new facilities, part of stage one of Moorabbin’s $13 million AFLW-ready redevelopment,include changerooms designed specifically for women and girls, player meeting and match committee rooms and a player lounge.

The next part of the redevelopment will deliver an undercover grandstand and a lap pool, plus a hydrotherapy pool for use by players and the local community.

In total, $25 million in Victorian Government funds have been committed to help St Kilda re-establish its headquarters at Moorabbin, which it did last year.

The Victorian Government is delivering for female footballers across the state by supporting quality, accessible facilities from grassroots to the elite level, so more women and girls have the opportunity to get involved.

The Government’s investment in elite female football facilities totals $45 million, also taking in major works at Ikon Park, Casey Fields, Whitten Oval and Victoria Park.

St Kilda’s VFLW and VFL teams play at Moorabbin, but the 2020 AFLW season will see the first national-league games played at the oval in 28 years. The AFLW will become a 14-team competition in early 2020 when the Saints, Richmond, West Coast and Gold Coast join the league.