The non-bank's chief executive attends the football club’s 150th anniversary game
Pepper Money has continued to proudly sponsor one of Australia’s oldest sporting institutions in its historic 150th year.
Established on April 2, 1873, the St Kilda Football Club has celebrated its 150th anniversary with a game held at the MCG in round 3 against the Essendon Bombers on April 1. The event was attended by more than 69,200 people, including key sponsors, Mario Rehayem (pictured below), Pepper Money’s CEO, alongside Barry Saoud, GM of mortgages and commercial, and Sarah Pikardt, GM of brand and marketing.
On behalf of Pepper Money and the Saints, one lucky fan and Saints member for 17 years (pictured below with Rehayem) won $1,500 to celebrate the club’s milestone game.
Across this historic year, the Saints have rolled out their official 150th anniversary campaign, which honours the true legends of the club – the fans.
“Through thick and thin, the Saints faithful have stood by the red, white, and black since its inception in 1873, seeing the club reach this year’s historic milestone. There is no doubt that Saints fans are the most loyal in the league,” said Simon Lethlean, St Kilda’s CEO.
Pepper Money has supported the Saints as co-principal partner and official lender since 2015.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the club’s 150th year,” Rehayem said. “As a company with a strong commitment to supporting our local communities, we believe this partnership is an excellent opportunity to give back and support the growth of football across Australia.”
The anniversary campaign featured on-field heroes, including premiership player Ross Smith, club legends Nathan Burke and Robert Harvey, as well as current players Tim Membrey, Hannah Priest, Alice Burke, and Rowan Marshall.
“Given the 150th year is about commemorating legends on and off the field, the one and only music legend Ed Sheeran (pictured below) took some time out of his busy Australian tour last month to visit the Saints' training ground,” Pikardt said. “In what was a perfect harmony of sports and music, the music superstar surprised the team during a training session. Sheeran congratulated the club and the team on 150 years of “great football.”
Last month, Jack (pictured top with St Kilda player Jack Billings), a 100-year-old “Sainter” and a loyal fan for 83 years, got a special gift for his birthday – a Saints jersey with the number 100 and two tickets to attend the 150th anniversary game. He said it was a huge surprise and he was honoured to be invited to watch the game.
“It means a hell of a lot to me,” Jack said.
See the real life moment here:
Pepper Money, the Saints’ community partner with a focus on including various community initiatives to help make a real difference in regions that are traditionally underserved, said it will continue to proudly support initiatives that champion inclusiveness and diversity, which include the Real Life Moments campaign and the St Kilda’s Blind & Wheelchair Football and Saints Play program.
Use the comment section below to tell us how you felt about this story.
